Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000

[tetsujin1979]

Yeah, not expected to feature for them until March

[tetsujin1979]

back in full training after recovering from injury, wonder if he'll be involved for Luton this weekend?
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[tetsujin1979]

Connolly playing for Brighton tonight in a friendly against Vancouver. O'Hora also included, but Molumby is not named in the side...🤔
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[Olé Olé]

At home to Southampton in the league the first team are tomorrow. More daunting tasks than that.

I've listened to about 3 interviews with Kenny this international break and every time he's blown away by Molumby and his recovery.

Hope this puts Connolly in the frame next week for Luton.

[liamoo11]

Looked injured coming off again Luxembourg

[tommy_c12000]

Scored one tonight on his return

[samhaydenjr]

Six games to make an impact (assuming no play-offs for Luton), Connolly finally arrives at Luton: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47784977

[tetsujin1979]

Full interview on Luton's website: https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2019/april/aaron-connolly-arrives/

[samhaydenjr]

OK then... Obafemi is now a Premier League scorer and full international, Connolly is on the verge of his league debut for Luton, Afolabi is lining up a move to Millwall, Kayode is in matchday squads for Rotherham, Keena scored in the Scottish Cup and is in Hearts' matchday squads, Parrott is training with the Spurs first team and Oko-Flex is scoring regularly for Celtic's reserves. The wave is starting to crest lads

[IsMiseSean]

OK then... Obafemi is now a Premier League scorer and full international, Connolly is on the verge of his league debut for Luton, Afolabi is lining up a move to Millwall, Kayode is in matchday squads for Rotherham, Keena scored in the Scottish Cup and is in Hearts' matchday squads, Parrott is training with the Spurs first team and Oko-Flex is scoring regularly for Celtic's reserves. The wave is starting to crest lads

And you didn't even mention Adam Idah.

[Olé Olé]

And you didn't even mention Adam Idah.
Ironically has scored at the highest level of all of them for his country!

19/20 season might be a bit soon but 20/21 looks bright!

[tommy_c12000]

Not even on the bench today. It was always questionable signing on loan injured to the league one leaders. Hopefully he will get a couple of run outs if Luton secure promotion in the next couple of games. Although if I was the manager with promotion secured early, I would be concentrating on developing my own players for next season rather than developing another club's player who's only there on a short term loan.

[Olé Olé]

And James Collins sent off in that match for good measure.

[tommy_c12000]

Good news for Aaron, perhaps he’ll get a couple of games after all!

[samhaydenjr]

First senior league game for Connolly, at the age of 19, coming on for the last quarter against Charlton. Four games left to make an impression: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47836021#tab-0

[tommy_c12000]

Back in the bench for today’s home game vs AFC Wimbledon, having been left out of match day squad over weekend. Let’s hope he can get another taste of the action

[samhaydenjr]

Back in the bench for today’s home game vs AFC Wimbledon, having been left out of match day squad over weekend. Let’s hope he can get another taste of the action

Didn't come on, unfortunately - Collins scored yet again: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47943504

[tommy_c12000]

Connolly has just scored!!

Here’s the goal. He is some finisher https://streamja.com/QNp9

[Olé Olé]

Connolly has just scored!!

Here’s the goal. He is some finisher https://streamja.com/QNp9

He was making a great run too and ignored by his teammate. Thankfully he got the opportunity anyway. Lovely.

[Olé Olé]

Man of the match: https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1166463142379106305?s=19

Away to City the weekend so not the ideal opportunity for the manager to throw him in. Or is it?

[tetsujin1979]

Hard to argue against his inclusion in the matchday squad, if not the starting XI. Brighton have only scored once in three premier league games this season.

[Diggs246]

Man of the match: https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1166463142379106305?s=19

Away to City the weekend so not the ideal opportunity for the manager to throw him in. Or is it?

If they are getting hockied why not give him a run? they will have nothing to lose and they get to see if he can mix things up with the best. I would be shocked if he started

[DeLorean]

Brighton have only scored once in three premier league games this season.

They beat Watford 3-0 on the opening weekend? Shame it's such a difficult game next but at least they're into the next round, guaranteeing him another opportunity soon enough you'd imagine.

[tetsujin1979]

ah crap, I read that result backwards!

[TrapAPony]

Not playing or on the bench for the Brighton U23 team tonight, therefore there must be a great chance that he is involved for Brighton tomorrow

[Tipp Townie]

We're quite excited about him down in Brighton and have been for some time. Locadia's loan move out to Hoffenheim would seem to suggest that Graham Potter is intending to play Connolly a bit this season.

Having said that, I'd be surprised if he features at Man City today. Might be in the squad, but I think it'd have to be a special set of circs that would mean he gets on.

[Eirambler]

As expected, Connolly is at the Etihad with the squad. Similar to Parrott recently its just a question of whether he makes the 18 or is the 19th man.

[jbyrne]

As expected, Connolly is at the Etihad with the squad. Similar to Parrott recently its just a question of whether he makes the 18 or is the 19th man.

named on the bench....... along side duffy who appears to be dropped

[Diggs246]

Connolly is on now

[samhaydenjr]

Could have had a clear run at goal, had a return pass from Gross not been intercepted. But still, great to see him make his EPL debut - will hopefully get more opportunities soon

[Tipp Townie]

Florin Andone now out on loan to Galatasaray, following on from Locadia's loan to Hoffenheim - which almost certainly means an enhanced role for Connolly now in the first team squad. Potter seems to be a big fan.

Good news for Connolly and Ireland.
From a purely Albion perspective - i'm concerned we're now pretty light on out and out strikers. But I know you lot aren't too interested in that! :cool:

[dynamo kerry]

Great news for Connolly. Never seen him play personally so I'm quite excited about this.
What's going on with Duffy? Was he dropped to give the new centre half young fella a game?

[Tipp Townie]

Re. Duffy, I've heard rumours (VERY VAGUE rumours, I must add) that Potter is a bit of disciplinarian etc, and that perhaps Shane is being seen down the pub too much.

From a playing perspective, Duffy's place in the starting back 3 would seem to be most at threat, as Dunk is our captain (and best player) and Dan Burn has come from almost nowhere and won MOTM in basically every game.
With Potter there is a big emphasis on playing out from the back and Duffy is the least adept with the ball at his feet.
I think with the Man City game Potter felt that Webster, more confident with the ball and (i think?) faster too, suited the opposition more.

However, I expect Duffy to return in our next game, home v Burnley. I think we need him for the more physical battle they present.

[Tipp Townie]

(MODS - apols if i should have put that on the Duffy thread instead. Happy to move it)

[Olé Olé]

Trossard has been playing wide forward on the left for Brighton but has been ruled out for a month. Brighton are at home to Burnley tomorrow. That sounds like the perfect game for Aaron to start or get an extended run. Fingers crossed.

[samhaydenjr]

Came on for his home debut as a late sub against Burnley - had a chance to win it with a run through but sliced his shot high and wide

[Tipp Townie]

Trossard has been playing wide forward on the left for Brighton but has been ruled out for a month. Brighton are at home to Burnley tomorrow. That sounds like the perfect game for Aaron to start or get an extended run. Fingers crossed.

He's certainly got a good chance of coming on in most games. I think it'll be a while before he gets a league start tbh, unless either Maupay or Murray gets crocked too.

[Tipp Townie]

Came on for his home debut as a late sub against Burnley - had a chance to win it with a run through but sliced his shot high and wide

From where I was (haven't seen a replay yet) it was a pretty tight angle; he'd have done well to score, though I suppose if I was being critical i'd say that he should have at least tested the keeper.
He didn't otherwise have much chance to get into the game but he definitely does look like he's got a great brain for football. Looked very lively and always thinking about space and making a run.
Early days, but the signs are good.

[tommy_c12000]

I am very optimistic about Connolly playing more and more in the coming weeks. I know Glenn Murray has been a club legend and is class; but I think his age really started showing on saturday. His legs were gone after 60 minutes - before this I thought Glenn was ageless, I’m sure Brighton fans noticed this. He’s 36 next week and I can’t see him being as instrumental at premier league level as he has been previously. I think Connolly will gradually get more and more playing time as Murray is phased out to just cameo appearances. Obviously Maupay is still ahead of him, and when Trossard returns he will start. Connolly’s energy, runs off the ball and finishing are great, he’s still raw but will improve with every appearance he gets, fingers crossed. I am looking forward to seeing him link up with Trossard actually who has some eye for a pass, they will complement each other very well

[ifk101]

Thought he looked naive and raw for the few minutes he played against Burnley. Difficult angle to score with the shot he had, but he needs to work the keeper. Ran offside badly during those minutes, and had a weak header for another chance to work the keeper. But looks a star in the making from what I've seen with the U21s.

[tommy_c12000]

I’ve suffered through 63 minutes of one of the worst prem football games ive seen here, Connolly better come on soon. Mooy is a terrible midfielder (picture a right footed McClean without pace and hair), on loan from Huddersfield....such a shame they didn’t give Molumby a chance this year.

[tommy_c12000]

He’s about to come on, grab the popcorn lads.

Playing wide left

[liamoo11]

Unlucky not to score improvised nicely

[tommy_c12000]

Yes, miraculous clearance off the line, excellent effort. Again, very impressed with Connolly. He’s a terrier, and as strong as an ox. Won a number of free kicks, laid it off nicely a couple of times. Gave the ball away only once when he was tackled well. Maupay had given the ball away a number of times cheaply, looks dangerous but Connolly can certainly compete against him for a starting berth. Another positive step in his development. Huge for him to come on ahead of Murray. Next up will be a start vs Villa in league cup Wednesday night.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Looked very good again today. So, so unlucky not to score and was a lovely finish too.

He's ready for the seniors really. I know the 21s have a huge game coming up but he could definitely make an impact off the bench at minimum for the seniors.

[Olé Olé]

This is the chance. So cruel but it should give him a nice kick of confidence and determination for getting the first.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1175470933785665538?s=19

[tommy_c12000]

Connolly’s chance at 51 seconds: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYO3OG9Bji8

[samhaydenjr]

Connolly’s chance at 51 seconds: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYO3OG9Bji8

Crikey, his luck isn't in the past few days - really seems to like drifting down that left-of-centre channel.

[Tipp Townie]

Connolly’s chance at 51 seconds: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYO3OG9Bji8

Video isn't working for me Tommy, but is it of when he hit the woodwork v Villa?
I was there. Very difficult game for him to do anything with as we put out such an inexperienced side, could barely get the ball off of Villa. But when the midfield did manage to bring him into it I thought he looked on a different level to the rest, again.

I haven't checked the stats, but I think he came off around the hour? Which was a clear sign that he'd continue to be involved in the first team squad at Chelsea.

I didn't see any of the Chelsea game and I didn't listen to much of it either, so I can't contribute anything about that!

Planning to skip the Spurs game this Saturday and watch on the tv instead

[paul_oshea]

Making his first start in the premier league today.