Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000 [Archive] - Page 20

elatedscum

24/08/2023, 2:16 PM

The clamour, such as it is, around Manning is down to our dwindling options elsewhere.

Coleman is injured and probably starting into his last season as a Premier League player (given Everton's trajectory, if nothing else). McClean is injured and while I wouldn't rule out Kenny sticking with him until the end of the campaign, we've never capped someone in the fourth tier, and for good reason. Brady is injured I think; hasn't made the bench for Preston yet this season. Stevens is back starting in the Championship after an injury-hit spell but he's 33 and I think past his best.

Doherty has played all of 16 minutes since mid Jan but may be the only one of the old guard we have available for Sept. Browne and O'Dowda seem to be the succession plan to that lot, but I don't really buy it. They're being shoe-horned into the position.

So it entirely makes sense to consider a player on the Championship Team of the Season. We're desperate for options here. Others - Ebosele (also poor at the weekend it seems), McNamara, Lyons (but he's dropped a division) - who else?

Realistic options for RB/RWB:

Matt Doherty
Seamus Coleman
Danny McNamara
Jon Gallagher
Festy Ebosele

Less realistic options:

Cyrus Christie
Andy Lyons
Peter Kioso
Lee O�Connor
James Abankwah
Sam Curtis

Realistic options for LB/LWB:

James McClean
Ryan Manning
Callum O�Dowda

Less realistic options:

Robbie Brady
Ends Stevens
Liam Scales
Joel Bagan
Derrick Williams
Alex Murphy

SkStu

24/08/2023, 3:03 PM

It is LB/LWV where you can't help but be most nervous. Really do think a call-up for Murphy would be a good move. He probably has the highest ceiling among that crop, has come a long way in a short time and it would be good for Kenny to get a close look at him. I'm not saying he starts but you cant put your faith in McClean, O'Dowda or Manning as long term answers to that problem. Dara O'Shea has played there before, not ideal and not his natural side but might be a stop-gap option too.

pineapple stu

24/08/2023, 3:14 PM

It is LB/LWV where you can't help but be most nervous.
Yep. Good list from elated - Alan Browne is missing from it, but I think he's being shoehorned into position too to be honest. Not his fault of course but I feel he's being played out of position there. Probably a bit harsh to label Brady a "less realistic option" too, though as he seems to be injured again I don't think he's in the frame from September, and he's certainly not getting any younger or any more injury-free.

I'd have Manning over Murphy in fairness. The higher ceiling isn't really relevant if that ceiling is a few years off.

Joxerbrowne

24/08/2023, 3:55 PM

James Furlong has to be on the list for LWB. Played very well in his first season at Motherwell and in Brightons plans after they rejected bids for him from Poland.

SkStu

24/08/2023, 4:30 PM

I'd have Manning over Murphy in fairness. The higher ceiling isn't really relevant if that ceiling is a few years off.

I dont really disagree to be honest. But if you lose McClean (and I think now is the time) and O'Dowda is as bad as his performance against Greece was then you really only have Manning who just has not been sufficiently involved and tested at this level. I'm not advocating starting Murphy just a bit of a fast track to the squad to see how he competes. I think its fairly low risk.

pineapple stu

24/08/2023, 4:39 PM

I wouldn't mind both in the squad in fairness. But we've seen plenty of times that initial excitement over a young player fades a bit as they actually play, so while I wouldn't mind him being called up to give him experience, he may benefit more from a 21s debut, which I think he has earned.

O'Dowda is another I'd like to find a place for in the squad, but not at wingback. Like Browne, I don't think it's his fault he didn't play well when (I think) out of position

It'll be an interesting squad selection cos we've plenty injuries in positions we're stuck for anyway (wingback and up front). There's room for a curve-ball option and for someone to stake a claim to a starting spot. Connolly arguably being the obvious example (to get back on topic!)

Razors left peg

24/08/2023, 4:53 PM

I dont really disagree to be honest. But if you lose McClean (and I think now is the time) and O'Dowda is as bad as his performance against Greece was then you really only have Manning who just has not been sufficiently involved and tested at this level. I'm not advocating starting Murphy just a bit of a fast track to the squad to see how he competes. I think its fairly low risk.

I think O'Dowdas performance against Greece is a bit overstated. Yes he got caught for 2nd goal but if Lenihan wasn't way out of position the gap behind O'Dowda wouldn't have been as bad. The handball was just unlucky. Manning is not the step up from him that some people think

Trequartista20

24/08/2023, 6:00 PM

Suggesting O'Dowda's Greece performance wasn' t that bad or just an aberration doesn't seem quite right when we look, for example, at how badly he was caught out at club level just the week before last against QPR, costing his side a goal.

I think it's quite telling that when Cardiff played Leicester away on Saturday - obviously one of the best teams in the league - they pushed O'Dowda further forward, stationing Jamilu Collins behind him at left back.

He just isn't a very good defender; his virtues lie elsewhere.

Now, whilst he may not play for Real Madrid, Manning was by common consensus the best left back in the Championship last season, earning a move to one of the best teams in that league, as well as credible Premier League interest from Luton and Sheffield Utd.

McClean's clear decline and, presumably, international career-ending drop to the fourth tier, means that, if he wasn't already, and like it or no, Manning is clearly the best option available to us for the left wingback role given the system and style of play the manager wants us to play. The fact he cannot even make Kenny's squads is certainly puzzling.

You can't help but suspect that some of the comments you see from certain Ireland supporters seeking to play down or dismiss this obvious point - and Manning as a footballer - is down to a deep-rooted loyalty to Kenny, and viewing other fans' advocacy of Manning as implicit criticism of their man.

pineapple stu

24/08/2023, 6:20 PM

irishfan86

24/08/2023, 6:34 PM

I don't think the last paragraph is needed, but other than that I fully agree.

I think O'Dowda started out for us as a creative attacking mid or something? Always found it strange that he's ended up as wingback.

I think he's just a victim of the current trend of teams -- at club and international level -- preferring to play with wingbacks. The fact he's left footed and there's always very few of those in any given squad means managers will just slot him in there by default.

My view is that his best position would probably be as an old school wide player in a 4-4-2, but not many teams use that formation these days.

pineapple stu

24/08/2023, 6:36 PM

I think that's exactly it alright.

JR89

24/08/2023, 6:51 PM

Cardiff were stuck for LBs last year which saw him played there. Their new signing Collins got a season ending injury in the fourth game and the player they brought in to replace him was recalled from his loan mid season. O'Dowda started LW at the weekend with Collins coming back in to play LB.

John83

24/08/2023, 6:57 PM

I don't think the last paragraph is needed, but other than that I fully agree.

I think O'Dowda started out for us as a creative attacking mid or something? Always found it strange that he's ended up as wingback.
Yeah, left of a midfield 3, or left wing. It seems to be fashionable to look for a lot of creativity from wing-backs as they're one of the positions that's least effectively pressed. Jo�o Cancelo at Man City (until he fell out with Guardiola), Zinchenko at City and more recently at Arsenal, or Trent Alexander Arnold at Liverpool are exemplars.

SkStu

24/08/2023, 7:51 PM

You can't help but suspect that some of the comments you see from certain Ireland supporters seeking to play down or dismiss this obvious point - and Manning as a footballer - is down to a deep-rooted loyalty to Kenny, and viewing other fans' advocacy of Manning as implicit criticism of their man.

Absolutely not from my perspective. Manning should have been called up by Kenny a long time ago but there is clearly beef on the players side that he wasn't. All that said, the chance or two he has had in green, he didn't play well, he has come across effective but limited when i saw him in action for Swansea and, so far, he doesn't appear to have adjusted well to the Southampton move by all accounts. I don't think he's the long-term answer, as per my post, but he is probably the best option to start right now - unproven and all as he is.

Definitely agree with the rest of your post!

ifk101

25/08/2023, 5:31 AM

Kenny gave Manning his debut which just happened to be one of the worst debuts in a green jersey. Wouldn't surprise me if that debut colours Kenny's opinion of Manning's suitability for international football as it certainly does mine.

Agree with Tommy a few posts back. Manning is defensively a liability - he has cost Southampton a few goals already this season. He is a better option than O'Dowda - nothing clear about it imo. Both have the same frailties. Perhaps the best option is to revert to a flat back four as we don't have a LWB that is "good enough" and overlook both Manning and O'Dowda?

tetsujin1979

25/08/2023, 7:51 AM

Travers' performance against Serbia has certainly coloured Kenny's opinion of him, he hasn't played since despite Bazunu's injuries, and Kelleher's lack of game time.

pineapple stu

26/08/2023, 1:48 PM

Kevin Kilbane would never have gotten a second cap, let alone 100, with that sort of attitude...

Back on topic, another 25 minutes for Connolly last night against Bristol City, though he missed a one-on-one with a very poor finish; barely made the keeper work. Still, good to see him getting game time.

JR89

02/09/2023, 2:06 PM

Starts today which is good to see. Hopefully comes through the game with no issues.

Jolly Red Giant

03/09/2023, 10:14 AM

Starts today which is good to see. Hopefully comes through the game with no issues.
Hi fitness is still an issue - subbed off on 75 mins and he was out on his feet at that stage.

pineapple stu

03/09/2023, 10:24 AM

I'm ok with that though. He only managed that amount of game time four times last season. He's still building up match fitness presumably. it does raise a question of how useful he'll be next week, but you'd almost have him in the squad for the boost alone. About the only players being left out are Hogan (two goals in 2023, and missed a penalty yesterday) and Parrott (also coming back from injury)

JR89

03/09/2023, 10:37 AM

Hi fitness is still an issue - subbed off on 75 mins and he was out on his feet at that stage.

TBF though he's only played 156 minutes in the league this season so in the other four games he's played a total of 81 minutes. Getting 75mins in just one game was good for him. From Hull fans comments it also sounds like he worked his socks off yesterday so probably running non stop so did well to play 75mins.

For us next week I think he's gonna be utilised coming off the bench which should suit him given he's been most effective so far this season coming off the bench.

Ol� Ol�

03/09/2023, 11:09 AM

He just needs to avoid injuries and keep racking up the minutes.

Jolly Red Giant

03/09/2023, 11:45 AM

TBF though he's only played 156 minutes in the league this season so in the other four games he's played a total of 81 minutes. Getting 75mins in just one game was good for him. From Hull fans comments it also sounds like he worked his socks off yesterday so probably running non stop so did well to play 75mins.

For us next week I think he's gonna be utilised coming off the bench which should suit him given he's been most effective so far this season coming off the bench.
I agree - whenever he is on the pitch he will run his socks off - it is the product at then end of it that needs attention. And if he does play in the internationals it will be as a sub. He is in the right place at the moment - Rosenior was his coach at Brighton and knows him well, he knows how to keep him focused. All he needed what to grow up and show a bit of maturity and Rosenior will help him with that. He still has potential - it is whether he maximises it or not is the question.

JR89

03/09/2023, 12:14 PM

I agree - whenever he is on the pitch he will run his socks off - it is the product at then end of it that needs attention. And if he does play in the internationals it will be as a sub. He is in the right place at the moment - Rosenior was his coach at Brighton and knows him well, he knows how to keep him focused. All he needed what to grow up and show a bit of maturity and Rosenior will help him with that. He still has potential - it is whether he maximises it or not is the question.

Yeah his one good chance yesterday and puts it over the bar (https://youtu.be/NOTCkGCEsys?si=KtaKUIttmoF70oSr 3mins into the video) but good play from Liam Delap who also scored yesterday. Played out wide on the right.

Exgrad

04/09/2023, 9:04 AM

Yeah would prefer him to work his socks off and come off wrecked after 75 mins, than to stroll through the game and walk off after 90 mins without having broken sweat.

elatedscum

04/09/2023, 11:27 AM

Delap is really coming together. Shame that he�s not playing for us

JR89

04/09/2023, 2:10 PM

Delap is really coming together. Shame that he�s not playing for us

Looking much better this season. FAI definitely want to make sure he's got his citizenship sorted before he turns 21. Because he's third generation and isn't automatically an Irish citizen by birth I think he needs to have his citizenship sorted before his 21st birthday otherwise he might not qualify for us.

Jolly Red Giant

04/09/2023, 7:10 PM

Looking much better this season. FAI definitely want to make sure he's got his citizenship sorted before he turns 21. Because he's third generation and isn't automatically an Irish citizen by birth I think he needs to have his citizenship sorted before his 21st birthday otherwise he might not qualify for us.
Don't think there is any rule about having to be under 21 - the only rule I can find is that one of your parents had to be an Irish citizen when you were born - and Rory Delap was playing for Ireland at the time.

I also don't know why people think Delap will declare for Ireland. He was born in England to an English born father (who admittedly represented Ireland) - but Liam has played numerous times for all the English underage teams. Now there may be something happening behind the scenes - but I haven't seen anything publicly apart from some wishful thinking by Kenny.

SkStu

04/09/2023, 7:25 PM

I never felt like Rory got his fair crack in an Irish shirt - a few understandable reasons to it obviously - but thought he got tainted a bit by that late Macedonian goal and shouldered a bit too much of the blame of you ask me.

But anyway, I digress� both Rory�s mum and dad are Irish born. I get that Liam is a generation removed and is, in effect, English but I would have also thought that his dad being a loyal servant to Ireland, both those grandparents Irish born and Rory speaking with pride about his caps would have carried some weight with his kid when it came to pledging allegiances. Not as much weight as being counselled by agents and courted by the FA I suppose.

That said, I wouldn�t be surprised if he ended up with us.

Has he ever been asked about his Irish connections and affiliation??

Fixer82

04/09/2023, 8:02 PM

Rory deserved way more caps. Think he played in the play off against Iran.

Wasn�t it Keith O�Neill who was to blame for Macedonia late goal?

SkStu

04/09/2023, 8:14 PM

Wow. Yes you�re absolutely right! LOL. He didn�t even play. In which case, any blame for that game is way OTT ;)

Eirambler

05/09/2023, 9:28 AM

tetsujin1979

05/09/2023, 9:40 AM

Little surprised he didn't play a competitive game for their U17s

JR89

05/09/2023, 10:13 AM

Actually he would have needed to have had his Irish citizenship before his first competitive underage game for England, which was in March 2022. If he didn't have it at that point he'll become ineligible for us next year when he turns 21.

Just reading an Athletic article about Balogun and yup they mention "If they did not already hold that nationality, they are allowed to switch � but only if they were under the age of 21 when they featured for the country they want to switch from." when talking about the rules regarding U21s players.

So yeah if he didn't have his Irish nationality at the time of his first cap then can't switch after he turns 21. Always read the rules as needing to have your citizenship sorted before 21 and if not you become ineligible if play after 21. So Delap would have been ok if he sorted his citizenship out before next February and still played U21s for England.

So if Ryan Johansson wasn't called up by Crawford before his 21st birthday he would have become ineligible.

Little surprised he didn't play a competitive game for their U17s

Think he had issues with injuries when younger and that's why he missed out on playing with their U17s competitively.

tetsujin1979

05/09/2023, 10:22 AM

Think he had issues with injuries when younger and that's why he missed out on playing with their U17s competitively.
Looked up his date of birth on wikipedia(February 2023) so he was 17 in 2000. England's u17s got a bye into the qualification round for the 2020 U17 Championships, but then all underage competitions were cancelled because of COVID.

Fixer82

05/09/2023, 10:44 AM

We need this kid to be top of his game for these matches

Eirambler

05/09/2023, 2:34 PM

Just reading an Athletic article about Balogun and yup they mention "If they did not already hold that nationality, they are allowed to switch � but only if they were under the age of 21 when they featured for the country they want to switch from." when talking about the rules regarding U21s players.

So yeah if he didn't have his Irish nationality at the time of his first cap then can't switch after he turns 21. Always read the rules as needing to have your citizenship sorted before 21 and if not you become ineligible if play after 21. So Delap would have been ok if he sorted his citizenship out before next February and still played U21s for England.

So if Ryan Johansson wasn't called up by Crawford before his 21st birthday he would have become ineligible.

Think he had issues with injuries when younger and that's why he missed out on playing with their U17s competitively.

The Ryan Johansson but still isn't quite right I don't think. He would have been fine if we had called him up after his 21st birthday, as long as his last appearance for Luxembourg was before his 21st. If he had played for Luxembourg after his 21st birthday he'd then have been ineligible for Ireland.

Johansson's situation was one that fell in our favour as a result of the revised rules, having been ruled ineligible previously. It's a shame he never kicked on at all.

mark12345

05/09/2023, 4:56 PM

Rory deserved way more caps. Think he played in the play off against Iran.

Wasn�t it Keith O�Neill who was to blame for Macedonia late goal?

Keith ONeill was quite poor in that game and, if memory serves, came on as a sub and was substituted about 20 minutes later?. But the blame for the goal lay with the Irish defence, who were stood like statues for a last minute corner to allow the equalizer.

pineapple stu

05/09/2023, 5:04 PM

Fixer82

06/09/2023, 8:53 AM

Came on with 25 to go but wasn't subbed off (https://www.11v11.com/matches/north-macedonia-v-republic-of-ireland-09-october-1999-267292/).

But yeah, when it comes to defending a last-minute corner, its first head on the ball clears it and worry about everything else after the whistle.

Definitely wasn�t Delap�s fault as he wasn�t even in the squad. O�Neill didn�t track his man and the rest is history.

Good player O�Neill but by many accounts a headwrecker and not very popular in the Irish dressing room

SkStu

15/09/2023, 6:40 PM

Gets another start for Hull tonight. Nice to see.

JR89

15/09/2023, 9:04 PM

Gets another start for Hull tonight. Nice to see.

And scores a late equaliser while also playing the full 90 mins.

CraftyToePoke

15/09/2023, 9:25 PM

It was a fantastic headed goal.

SkStu

15/09/2023, 9:32 PM

JR89

15/09/2023, 10:03 PM

I didnt get to watch any games tonight but was following the BBC updates and he missed a sitter in the first half apparently. Still, that goal will do him the world of good. Really happy to see his comeback.

Does miss some easy chances but has 4 goals in 6 games. Yet some fans would have you believe he was one season away from togging out in the LOI.

JR89

15/09/2023, 10:36 PM

1702783815859540244

SkStu

16/09/2023, 1:07 AM

Longer highlights here - Connolly features in a few snips, 2 min (chance); 5 min (sitter) and his goal comes towards the end. Lovely header, very intelligent uses the pace of the ball well and executes to perfection.

xI1pnNGiDIU

https://youtu.be/xI1pnNGiDIU?si=lCKslkjoMmgttTIz

Demesne Lad

16/09/2023, 11:14 AM

Connolly was sick during the week and was ill immediately after last night's game.

Aaron Connolly netted Hull City goal despite suffering from sickness bug, Liam Rosenior reveals - Hull Live (hulldailymail.co.uk) (https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aaron-connolly-hull-city-rosenior-8752656)