Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000

[paul_oshea]

Forgetting all the noise here and around his non-football choices, he has done almost zero to suggest he is anything other than the average run of the mill wingers we've produced previously. A Championship player at best from what he has shown.

[paul_oshea]

Unfortunately for Connolly he seems to lack a couple of attributes to make it at a really really high level = He is very small without the exceptional quality that you need when you are that small.

Is he really that fast , as some say here. I don’t think he has that exceptional speed when you consider his other physical limitations.

Think this is spot on, perhaps we just haven't seen them but I dont believe that to be the case.

[CSAD]

Forgetting all the noise here and around his non-football choices, he has done almost zero to suggest he is anything other than the average run of the mill wingers we've produced previously. A Championship player at best from what he has shown.

He’s literally been a premier league winger for 2 years at the age of 21...

[paul_oshea]

So what, many players start out in the Premier league and then find their natural level on the way down, same as many start out in the championship or lower and then find their way up. In a team like Brighton without many options or money a young player will get a fair whack at it, but will eventually be moved on.

[CSAD]

So what, many players start out in the Premier league and then find their natural level on the way down, same as many start out in the championship or lower and then find their way up. In a team like Brighton without many options or money a young player will get a fair whack at it, but will eventually be moved on.

And many go the other way, the big difference at this point is professionalism. Connolly has shown a lot of good moments and a lot of a bad moments which is largely down to his lack of professionalism, if he can get his house in order he can still be a top player potentially but if he keeps being a tw&t he will end up being a championship player if not worse.

[Olé Olé]

I just don't get this. Why would one feel the need to write Connolly off as a Premier League player? He has shown glimpses and spurts of utter Premiership quality and he still has time to develop. But now someone is asserting that he is "A Championship player at best from what he has shown." Why does one feel the need to predict his plight to a lower level when he has shown evidence of delivering at this level?

I probably would assert the opposite i.e. that another young Irish player will make it in the Premiership- I've asserted this on Dara O'Shea. I've also asserted it on Nathan Collins, though he has no glimpses or spurts in the Premiership to support this.

I'm not saying we should all be positive about our players but writing off a player like Aaron Connolly as not being a Premiership quality player in the long term a) does not make much sense to me in the first place but b) shows a fairly grim outlook if someone is able to so confidently assert that.

[paul_oshea]

I never wrote him off, its just what I have seen, a dose of reality isn't negativity, or doesn't always have to be. You've used the world glimpses -> partial view, perceive briefly , momentary. For now that's all they were momentary pieces of skill, perhaps laden with luck, or perhaps lacking of consistency.

Same as you believe from what you've read/seen of Collins that he will be a premiership player.

Of course I hope you are right!

[CSAD]

I never wrote him off, its just what I have seen, a dose of reality isn't negativity, or doesn't always have to be. You've used the world glimpses -> partial view, perceive briefly , momentary. For now that's all they were momentary pieces of skill, perhaps laden with luck, or perhaps lacking of consistency.

Same as you believe from what you've read/seen of Collins that he will be a premiership player.

Of course I hope you are right!

You literally just have written him off...

Oh great another realist... I rest my case.

Here’s reality, Connolly at 21 has player nearly 50 premiership matches and would have probably played more if he stopped getting injured...that’s reality for you. For all this talk of him being a championship player at best that opinion is offset by reality.

[SkStu]

I think it is fair to say he hasn't yet reached the heights that we all (well, almost all - some always know better) thought he would based his breakthrough and brace against Spurs. Where he does have a long way to go is to show the professionalism that it takes to be a top level footballer. That is still a question mark. Similar to the question mark that is/was over Obafemi. His potential to be a premiership player is not a question mark. As CSAD and Ole point out, at the age of 21 he already is; he is established and experienced; he has shown he has what it takes in a side that struggles.

The difference here is that Connolly has his premiership career in his own hands. It is down to his attitude and application, not his ability.

[Charlie Darwin]

So it's settled then, Connolly is finished.

Bit disappointing we only got 26 pages out of it.

[John83]

I'll lock the thread so.

[zero]

dropped from the squad today reportedly for a training ground strop.

[Olé Olé]

Brighton up two nil and Maupay looks to have hurt his shoulder before half time. I would say there's a good chance Connolly comes in for second half as Maupay was shaking the head going off and they don't have anyone else on the bench really unless they bring in a midfielder and move someone else inside. Fingers crossed.

[Colbert Report]

Connolly on for the second half.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Connolly on for the franco-argentine Maupay, he looks like #10 Alex McAllister

[Olé Olé]

Missed a sitter off his left. Ugh.

[Bielsa´s irish]

thats when you dont play that much you lose the tempo

[Bielsa´s irish]

quick to react, bad resolution hit the target, a pass to the net !!

[Bielsa´s irish]

McAllister playing really well, as a 10, we were missing him after he left Boca. Connolly playing good too, Duffy cant get booked so easily dragged out of position

[Tipp Townie]

As a Brighton fan and ST holder, it's surprising to see Connolly stay with us this transfer window. My feeling, and it seems that of a lot of fans, is that he would benefit from some time on loan on the Championship. Even in his first season (following that intro double v Spurs) i worried that he was being over used. I'm now genuinely worried that we're going to ruin him. And yes his attitude is (apparently) a concern. But Potter seems to like him and want to stick by him; and given he's taken a very hard line with other players for attitude issues, I'm clinging on to the hope that there is still something there and that he'll develop into a good PL striker

[paul_oshea]

Ya championship was the hope I heard from my Brighton mates. Championship at best as a player is what he's shown for Brighton both ability and application

[Olé Olé]

Ya championship was the hope I heard from my Brighton mates. Championship at best as a player is what he's shown for Brighton both ability and application

You can't help yourself, can you?

[paul_oshea]

I'm merely offering an opinion, differing to yours, a consistent one having watched him throughout the last couple of years and keeping my ear to the ground listening to the opinions of those who see him on an almost weekly basis. I do often think as those I've spoken with had he not "burst" onto the scene he'd already be playing in the championship.

[CraftyToePoke]

Ya championship was the hope I heard from my Brighton mates. Championship at best as a player is what he's shown for Brighton both ability and application

Ah the entertainment value of Posherian reality is ceaseless. Home truths you call them I believe.

But consider this, Championship clubs are paying well too and trying to win their games, so pis* head party boys application tends to be a focus there also.

Also, worth noting how a Premier club with transfer budget are keeping him around and keep giving him chances to come good. Which suggests strongly they see a top division goal getter in him should he cop himself on.

[tetsujin1979]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
It's just not an international window until Paul posts for the first time since the last one with something one of his friends has told him

[Stuttgart88]

So Paul’s got a mate who watches Brighton every week and doesn’t rate Connolly. That’s fair enough. We’ve all seen with our own eyes what he can and can’t do and what he needs to improve. But there’s a difference between a Premier League club fan and an international fan imho. The former can expect his club to sell an underperformer and buy an upgrade. We don’t have that luxury so have to take the “glass half full” view - at least I tend to.

But in 18 years on this site I can’t think of an emerging player who Paul has actually stated a positive opinion on. Am I wrong?

[tetsujin1979]

A pessimist is never disappointed

[CraftyToePoke]

and keeping my ear to the ground listening to the opinions of those who see him on an almost weekly basis. I do often think as those I've spoken with had he not "burst" onto the scene he'd already be playing in the championship.

As we have you here, and seeing as you have your ear to the ground in Brighton, a capable and devout network of eyes and ears, its a small city, his off field shenanigans if as bad as rumoured, would be known about, what are your lads saying about that ?

[Kingdom]

Without weighing in on Posh, that's a great question.

[paul_oshea]

It is. Apart from the tantrum in training nothings come up since the other stuff last year, so maybe he is applying himself better.

[paul_oshea]

So Paul’s got a mate who watches Brighton every week and doesn’t rate Connolly. That’s fair enough. We’ve all seen with our own eyes what he can and can’t do and what he needs to improve. But there’s a difference between a Premier League club fan and an international fan imho. The former can expect his club to sell an underperformer and buy an upgrade. We don’t have that luxury so have to take the “glass half full” view - at least I tend to.

But in 18 years on this site I can’t think of an emerging player who Paul has actually stated a positive opinion on. Am I wrong?

Calum Robinson? Always thought he looked good from the start and I think he's nailed on when available for Kenny. He's had mixed fortunes the last couple of years so we might never see his full potential for Ireland

[Kingdom]

Actually, to be fair to you, we can give you that (not sure about foot, but certainly elsewhere). And while he is a loss tonight, without a doubt, he's a much bigger loss for Saturday.

[SkStu]

I'm merely offering an opinion, differing to yours, a consistent one having watched him throughout the last couple of years

fair to say, you've only really watched him in the Irish shirt? If i remember correctly, you hadnt taken it upon yourself to watch m/any of the B&HA games in forming an opinion?

[Kingdom]

Nice one Edberg!

[DeLorean]

Calum Robinson? Always thought he looked good from the start and I think he's nailed on when available for Kenny. He's had mixed fortunes the last couple of years so we might never see his full potential for Ireland

What age was young, emerging Callum when you tipped him for greatness? 24?

[Stuttgart88]

Calum Robinson? Always thought he looked good from the start and I think he's nailed on when available for Kenny. He's had mixed fortunes the last couple of years so we might never see his full potential for IrelandI'm not sure Robinson was even considered Irish when he was an emerging player. Was he?

[seanfhear]

Connolly may have a lot to offer if he becomes a very street wise footballer. It remains to be seen if he has that capacity.

[DeLorean]

I'm not sure Robinson was even considered Irish when he was an emerging player. Was he?

Shows how stuck for real examples he was!

[Razors left peg]

Connolly drove me crazy during the game yesterday, but reflecting on it today I think theres a footballer in there if he allows himself to be coached. His movement is excellent, but his decision making is awful. Hopefully as he matures he will improve. He missed some good chances but he also got into positions for those chances that other players wouldnt have.

Hes still on the cusp of being a Premiership or L1 player in the long run

[paul_oshea]

Shows how stuck for real examples he was!

Not really its just proof I live in the reality that players can have potential but very few make it. I think he was 23 young enough, a bit COD who we know well never made it. Certainly not a nailed on starter either.


Hes still on the cusp of being a Premiership or L1 player in the long run

This is it, showing more like somewhere in between the two at the moment though, hes definitely good enough for Championship as is say Horgan, the more I see of him the more I see the the frustration and disappointment of McGeady I think hes just been given more excuses/time because of his age.

[Kingdom]

Are you telling us that you'd turn down a young/in prime Aiden McGeady in our squad right now?

[passinginterest]

Connolly drove me crazy during the game yesterday, but reflecting on it today I think theres a footballer in there if he allows himself to be coached. His movement is excellent, but his decision making is awful. Hopefully as he matures he will improve. He missed some good chances but he also got into positions for those chances that other players wouldnt have.

Hes still on the cusp of being a Premiership or L1 player in the long run


He actually had me on my knees in the middle of the living room floor at one point, screaming at him, I think it was when he didn't get his head up to see Idah completely unmarked bursting forward on the far side. He really does get into some great positions, but too often is looking for contact to fall over and win a free, rather than actually trying to progress the play and either score or create something. I'm sure it's partly down to not playing regularly, similarly I think Idah gets better the more regularly he plays.

With Connolly, I'm sure there's a confidence issue with his finishing at the moment too, he's missed a few really good chances for club and country and that's a bit of a monkey on his back now. There was some interesting stats on the whoscored link posted earlier regarding touches and passes, Idah attempted 20 passes to Connolly's 9 off the same amount of touches (34). I think it probably shows Connolly has a little bit of tunnel vision on the ball (although to be fair to him he also was the one with the most shots and had 8 touches in the penalty area compared to Idah's 1 and 2 on the edge). No doubt Connolly was the bigger goal scoring threat, and if he starts to covert chances he could be phenomenal.

[paul_oshea]

As we have you here, and seeing as you have your ear to the ground in Brighton, a capable and devout network of eyes and ears, its a small city, his off field shenanigans if as bad as rumoured, would be known about, what are your lads saying about that ?

A bit more here if still interested

http://www.wearebrighton.com/newsopinion/time-is-now-for-aaron-connolly-to-grow-up/

[Eirambler]

Hard to argue with that article. The thing is though, Potter continues to stick with him, he must see something there.

But if he doesn't change his ways he will throw away his career, no question.

[seanfhear]

A bit more here if still interested

http://www.wearebrighton.com/newsopinion/time-is-now-for-aaron-connolly-to-grow-up/
Out on loan to a tough school has to be worth a go or perhaps Brighton should sell him if they can get anyone to pay a decent bit of dough for him.

[paul_oshea]

Hard to argue with that article. The thing is though, Potter continues to stick with him, he must see something there.

But if he doesn't change his ways he will throw away his career, no question.

I feel bad I should never have said anything at knock airport :(

[paul_oshea]

Out on loan to a tough school has to be worth a go or perhaps Brighton should sell him if they can get anyone to pay a decent bit of dough for him.

He needs to go somewhere where he doesn't have the luxury of 4 or 5 missed chances. That's not league 1 or so or even championship !

[Olé Olé]

Whisper it but Connolly has gone and scored two against Swansea in the EFL Cup. 40 minutes gone.

[paul_oshea]

Has he found his level?

[Olé Olé]

Has he found his level?

You certainly have found your's.