Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000

[Diggs246]

Interesting... mick has moved position quite a bit. Aaron might start

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thesun.ie/sport/football/4631870/mick-mccarthy-ireland-start-aaron-connolly-georgia/amp/

[DeLorean]

There was a bit of questioning of Obafemi's commitment at underage level.

Oh yes, I forgot about that angle.

[elatedscum]

Interesting... mick has moved position quite a bit. Aaron might start

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thesun.ie/sport/football/4631870/mick-mccarthy-ireland-start-aaron-connolly-georgia/amp/

Diggs, give us a warning if it's a Sun link next time please :)

[liamoo11]

Oh yes, I forgot about that angle.

Think the questioning was media generated obafemi played underage when picked and didn't switch between us and England or take a leave of absence from Irish duty. In fact he was left out of the under 17s euros and yet had his first appearance for Southampton in the league less than 6 months later so he could have sulked but he didnt

[Olé Olé]

Starts again today for Brighton. Away to Villa. Hopefully he gets some better service than he got during the week.

Duffy is on the bench.

[irishfan86]

Connolly had two quality chances and failed to convert. The first was a quick rebound that came to him from close range, but he scuffed it. He was under a lot of pressure so it was a bit difficult. The second was a breakaway where he made a great run behind the defence but shot it right at the ‘keeper. The colour commentator suggested that had he scored, it would have been called offside with a VAR check. No goals today but he looked lively and he was withdrawn for tactical reasons after Brighton went down a man.

[seanfhear]

That’ll teach him , Not to miss two chances . Only Kidding .

[mark12345]

That’ll teach him , Not to miss two chances . Only Kidding .

Kidding or not, there may have been two fine goals for him against Spurs, but he's had his fair share of misses too. He needs to change that trend or he will be dropped.

[tommy_c12000]

Wouldn’t worry about his misses. He’s a natural goal scorer. Once he gains more experience in premier league, he will become more clinical. Could have been more composed for his second opportunity yesterday, which will come in time. His movement and runs are top top class, and the very fact that he’s getting these chances is a hugely positive sign. He will score a number of goals this season

[paul_oshea]

Kidding or not, there may have been two fine goals for him against Spurs, but he's had his fair share of misses too. He needs to change that trend or he will be dropped.

He won't cos they don't have many options really. But yes he needs to start converting, hope he is not one of these 1 in 3 or 4 chances kinda guy and is just finding his feet. Time will tell. I think if he gets 5 before January he will be doing very well.

[Olé Olé]

I didn't see the misses the weekend but have seen his misses for club and country prior to that. They all looked like they had a chance of going in. The Georgia one off the side netting and the lob against Newcastle particularly spring to mind. It always appears that he has the right idea and the confidence to go for it but doesn't calm himself enough to execute perfectly. Not a bad complaint. But, yeah, time to up the conversion rate too.

[Tipp Townie]

He won't cos they don't have many options really. But yes he needs to start converting, hope he is not one of these 1 in 3 or 4 chances kinda guy and is just finding his feet. Time will tell. I think if he gets 5 before January he will be doing very well.

Potter seems to really believe in him, that's why we let two of our senior strikers go out on loan for the rest of the season. So the signs are that he will definitely be given time. So although you're not wrong that the Albion's striker options are a bit limited, I think it's more about Potter having a specific plan for how Aaron will be used this season. He hasn't just been chucked in out of desperation.

NB. were Aaron to suffer a significant barren spell or drop in form, then we actually do have a number (when fit) of attack-minded midfielders and wide players. So there are options for the front three. Just not that many out-and-out strikers.

Have to admit I'm surprised he's been given so much playing time already - it's all happened very fast. But i'm not complaining!

[Diggs246]

Starting again.

[Razors left peg]

He did ok. Makes a lot of good runs. He would do very well with a good playmaker to pick him out. A Wes type player in behind him would be very dangerous

[Fixer82]

He did ok. Makes a lot of good runs. He would do very well with a good playmaker to pick him out. A Wes type player in behind him would be very dangerous

I really hope him and McGoldrick gel well together

[Olé Olé]

3-5-2 with him and McGoldrick up top and Stevens and Doherty wing backs sounds sumptuous to me.

[liamoo11]

3-5-2 with him and McGoldrick up top and Stevens and Doherty wing backs sounds sumptuous to me.

I'd go with that but play Steven's left side centre half and Brady left wing back. It also leaves egan as right sided centre back in a 3 and he doesnt ever seem to me to have the footballing ability for that. With whelan practically sitting on top of Duffy cause of his lack of mobility the danger is it ends up with massive gaps between the back, midfield and attack. If we were going to pick a foot balling right sided centre half and McCarthy over whelan then I'd tink it could be nice option

[tricky_colour]

He won a free kick and a penalty both of which were converted to goals.

So kind of hard to see how he was rated Brighton's 3rd worst player, seems to me they would have lost without him.

Seem to be a lot complaining about the penalty including Gary Lineker however to me it was
a stonewall penalty. He really should learn the rules of the game or resign.

[irishfan86]

A bit of a weird game. He really didn’t get up to much apart from drawing those two fouls in key positions. So I understand the poor rating because he didn’t do much from open play.

But I’d echo the suggestion he needs better service — didn’t get much of that today.

I’ll be curious to see if he keeps his starting place for the next match.

[tricky_colour]

A bit of a weird game. He really didn’t get up to much apart from drawing those two fouls in key positions. So I understand the poor rating because he didn’t do much from open play.

But I’d echo the suggestion he needs better service — didn’t get much of that today.

I’ll be curious to see if he keeps his starting place for the next match.

He may not have done much but what he did mattered a lot.

I think the thing is defenders are scared of his ability so if he get anywhere near goal they bring him down, he seemed to play OK
in the short highlights I saw.

I mean had it been any of our other striking options there would be no need to foul him as their chances of scoring are pretty remote.

[Stuttgart88]

He won a free kick and a penalty both of which were converted to goals.

So kind of hard to see how he was rated Brighton's 3rd worst player, seems to me they would have lost without him.

Seem to be a lot complaining about the penalty including Gary Lineker however to me it was
a stonewall penalty. He really should learn the rules of the game or resign.I thought it was a harsh penalty. I can see it being the right decision, but I wouldn't have thought not awarding it would have been wrong either.

The first was Duff-like in how he drew the foul. A very valuable thing to have.

[tricky_colour]

I thought it was a harsh penalty. I can see it being the right decision, but I wouldn't have thought not awarding it wouyld have been wrong either.

The first was Duff-like in how he drew the foul. A very valuable thing to have.

Certainly if I watch it at normal speed I do not see a penalty indeed I don't even see contact, however
slowed down you can see his foot pinning Connolly's to the ground. That has to be a penalty whether it was
intentional or not.
Whilst Connolly drew the foul, he did so because like Duff he is perceived to be a threat, I mean is is not like they tricked
the defender into fouling them (by foul means) it is because the defender perceived a threat. Another player in the same position
would likely not have been fouled as the perceived threat would not have been so great.
Now Shane Long can draw fouls too but were I a defender I would avoid any contact as on balance he would likely not score
or at least not enough to justify any contact.
I think we see that a fair bit, defenders give away needless penalties when the chance of the player scoring do not merit it,
Chances are they will not score, but a penalty will likely be converted.

[DeLorean]

Certainly if I watch it at normal speed I do not see a penalty indeed I don't even see contact, however
slowed down you can see his foot pinning Connolly's to the ground. That has to be a penalty whether it was intentional or not.

Agreed. It's a pretty clear penalty in my view also, while having a smidgen of sympathy for Michael Keane.

[tetsujin1979]

Nominated for October Goal of the Month.
Stuff the ballot box here https://www.premierleague.com/news/1474986

[paul_oshea]

Subbed off again. This time at half time. Brighton fan at the game said to me Maguire had him in his pocket.

[paul_oshea]

It's not really looking too good for him now after the hype

[elatedscum]

Taken off due to injury. Will have a scan on Monday!

[tommy_c12000]

He was starved of good service again. Did okay with the balls he did get. Groin strain per report. He’s been doing well from my assessment, I’ve watched him in all his premier league minutes thus far. He’s doing fine, and should slowly improve in coming months as he adjusts to the level

[Stuttgart88]

Pure WUMmery from POSHer. Pathetic really. You’d love nothing more than to see him have a sh1t career just cos some here had the temerity to be glad to see a very young Irish lad have an encouraging start to his pro career. I’ve still to hear you say anything about his ability, why you think he’s not up to much, anything really...

[Razors left peg]

It's not really looking too good for him now after the hype

Might as well pack it in. A 19 year old playing in the Premiership hasn't scored for few games, he must be crap

[seanfhear]

Might as well pack it in. A 19 year old playing in the Premiership hasn't scored for few games, he must be crap
He gave it a good go . Time to head home .

[Razors left peg]

He gave it a good go . Time to head home .

Wonder would be good enough to get in the Mervue senior team now if he went back to Galway?

[Diggs246]

It's not really looking too good for him now after the hype

Come on man. Are u serious?!

[tetsujin1979]

Paul, wind ups are sooo 2013.

[Kingdom]

Trust me, he is serious.

[tommy_c12000]

He has been back in training this week and is available for Liverpool game on Saturday

[tommy_c12000]

Starts today at Anfield

[tommy_c12000]

Duffy sorely missed at the back for Brighton, their “footballing” centre halves being ruined by VVD in the air, 2 headers. Connolly as lone striker, doing well to be honest

[tommy_c12000]

Starts again tonight but this time in a more attacking (and supportive) set up. Maupay alongside him, with Alzate also returning. Looking forward to seeing how he gets on

[tommy_c12000]

Got off to a bright start. Faded a bit in the second off. Subbed on 74 minutes. He needs to learn to compose himself a bit better when he’s on the ball, everything is frantic with him. Think he’ll learn as season goes on

[ifk101]

Agree but balancing act playing with high intensity (which has put him in the starting 11) and then finding composure on the ball. I'd like to see Connolly play wider rather than through the middle, he is at his most dangerous when turned and pushing defenders onto the back foot. Regardless, Graham Potter can't have many complaints though, a constant threat and gave the Arsenal backline an uneasy night.

[jbyrne]

Regardless, Graham Potter can't have many complaints though, a constant threat and gave the Arsenal backline an uneasy night.

yes, the BBCs webtext commentary of the match said that Brighton have some player on their hands with Aaron Connolly based on his first half performance

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah but if he can't score against Arsenal he'll never make it.

He nearly got a touch on a cross shot that was rifled across the 6 yard box but just failed to connect. He made a bit of a mess of a relatively straightforward pass to put a teammate in 1 on 1 - he played the ball about a yard behind where the player needed it for a routine first time shot, instead he had to check back and the chance went. Teammate wasn't happy.

But he was lively all night - just the kind of buzz and proactivity we could have done with against Denmark.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Yeah but if he can't score against Arsenal he'll never make it.

He nearly got a touch on a cross shot that was rifled across the 6 yard box but just failed to connect. He made a bit of a mess of a relatively straightforward pass to put a teammate in 1 on 1 - he played the ball about a yard behind where the player needed it for a routine first time shot, instead he had to check back and the chance went. Teammate wasn't happy.

But he was lively all night - just the kind of buzz and proactivity we could have done with against Denmark.
Connolly is still a kid and is still learning the game - but he has a lot of potential. He is being completely overblown by Brighton fans at the moment. He showed his inexperience against Liverpool, repeatedly getting shoved off the ball - but seemed to learn from that and was a lot tougher against Arsenal. He will never be a prolific goalscorer - but he will get a lot of goals and will make goals with his pace. Hopefully his development will continue - Potter will bring him along - but if Brighton hit a sticky patch, which they probably will, then he will have to show that he has the maturity to deal with it.

[youngirish]

Yeah but if he can't score against Arsenal he'll never make it.

He nearly got a touch on a cross shot that was rifled across the 6 yard box but just failed to connect. He made a bit of a mess of a relatively straightforward pass to put a teammate in 1 on 1 - he played the ball about a yard behind where the player needed it for a routine first time shot, instead he had to check back and the chance went. Teammate wasn't happy.

But he was lively all night - just the kind of buzz and proactivity we could have done with against Denmark.
I thought he made a mess of some good opportunities when in promising positions. He just seems to put his head down and start running when he receives the ball without much awareness of what's going on around him which will be difficult to coach out of him.

On the plus said he was a handful for the opposing defence when he received the ball and kept drawing fouls in promising positions. I wonder is he potentially more suited for a wide role similar to what he's played for the U21's on occasion. The Premier League is obviously a big step up from the U23 and goals will be hard to come by but he has a decent opportunity at home today so let's see how he does.

[SkStu]

Not in the match day squad today. Injured, dead leg.

[tommy_c12000]

Returns to bench today, hopefully he will see some decent game time. Somewhat concerning the couple of niggling injuries that has caused him to miss a few games, hopefully just his body adapting to the demands of top adult football

[tommy_c12000]

Came on at half time. Did ok, some good runs, won a couple of important free kicks, and showed lovely quick feet to get a shot away outside the box, but it was too central. I expect he has done enough to regain his starting place back. On another note, Dunk and Brewster partnership continues to cost Brighton. I will reiterate my belief that Duffy will be back before long. Their distribution was also awful today, although the conditions were atrocious

[Closed Account]

On at halftime, may have gotten word of Idahs exploits. Expect a brace

[Razors left peg]

https://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?377484-Connolly

Some opinions on Connolly from a Brighton Forum. Majority is negative at the moment surprisingly enough... or not, considering he hasnt scored for a while and football fans are generally idiots online!