Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000

[mark12345]

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!

Wouldn't disagree with your comments about football fans, but there is no smoke without fire. They are obviously looking for Connolly to do better and probably feel the return he's giving for the faith shown in him (by the manager) is negligible. Critical time ahead in next few weeks for Aaron. He needs to stop falling to the ground with every challenge, hold onto the ball a bit better, and start finding the net.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's barely started a game recently due to injuries. Worth giving him a bit of space before passing judgement.

[irishfan86]

Brighton is only four points clear of relegation. I suspect it’s the fear talking there.

Maupay only guy in his prime, with the raw Connolly and Murray, who has finally seemed to slow down.

If I were a Brighton fan I’d want another striker too. Connolly will get minutes either way. I disagree with the comment he never looks like scoring which someone made in that thread. Has had a few close ones. He’s due a goal.

[youngirish]

I don't believe he's good enough to be playing in the Premier League yet and numerous games putting in below par performances without scoring is not doing his confidence any favours. He may score the odd goal or two but generally when I've watched him he seems off the pace. A loan to a Championship club would do him good but will not happen due to Brighton being short of alternatives.

[DeLorean]

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!

"There’s a poster (can’t remember who), who even in the last few days, can’t believe that Maupay takes Connolly’s place every game. Underwhelmed by the overrated Maupay, Connolly is ready to destroy any PL opposition in a 4-5-1."

I think this guy is saying that Maupay should be dropped completely, but I watched their match against Chelsea the other day and made a similar point in a text. Now I don't know where Maupay usually does his best work but he was occupying the space where Connolly is usually most effective, wide left of the central striker. Connolly was feeding off scraps through the middle. He still managed to win a couple of free kicks, as he always does, and conjured up a reasonable chance for himself, but was unable to generate the necessary power.

Worth noting our resident Seagull, Tipp Townie, seemed to envisage this situation arising back at the start of the season-


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:

[Razors left peg]

Maybe its the green tinted glasses but every time Ive seen Connolly he impresses me. He looks like a player who could get a lot of goals with the right service.

[SkStu]

Maybe its the green tinted glasses but every time Ive seen Connolly he impresses me. He looks like a player who could get a lot of goals with the right service.

I agree Razor. I have watched pretty much every game he has played in the league. I was commenting at the weekend that, while its an important currency for any striker, it goes beyond simply goals scored for me. It is clear when watching Connolly that he brings a lot to the team - his work off the ball is second to none, he is a handful and he can create a chance from not much. He has also gotten into some decent goalscoring positions and, but for some good goalkeeping and/or a little more experience and composure, he could have another 3 or 4 to his name. And all this in a system, to yours and Dels point, doesnt necessarily play him to his strengths.

There is more about Connolly to admire than to criticize in my opinion and i think he is going to be a very decent player.

[tommy_c12000]

I agree Razor. I have watched pretty much every game he has played in the league. I was commenting at the weekend that, while its an important currency for any striker, it goes beyond simply goals scored for me. It is clear when watching Connolly that he brings a lot to the team - his work off the ball is second to none, he is a handful and he can create a chance from not much. He has also gotten into some decent goalscoring positions and, but for some good goalkeeping and/or a little more experience and composure, he could have another 3 or 4 to his name. And all this in a system, to yours and Dels point, doesnt necessarily play him to his strengths.

There is more about Connolly to admire than to criticize in my opinion and i think he is going to be a very decent player.

Agree with this. He is very raw still though and hasn’t improved as I thought he would as season progresses. He has the makings of a very good striker though. Potter has huge faith in him and will continue to give him chances in the coming months, hopefully he will take them.

I’ve watched every minute he’s been on pitch this year. Worth remembering he only has had 8 starts, and the majority of those has been as a lone striker with terrible service. He had an attempt cleared off the line on his debut, and a miraculous save prevented him from scoring vs Spurs, which would have doubled his goals tally. The goals will come.

Brighton are a nice team to watch, but a lot of their passing is non-penetrating and lack the quality players for the telling pass. Alzate and Troussard may change this as they continue to get game time, they can be game changers. While their fans are obsessed with Mooy and want a permanent deal, I haven’t been overly impressed, works his socks off with reasonable technique but he’s slower than a wet week and wastes many opportunities as a makeshift left winger, Gross simply hasn’t recaptured his previous form this season and is way too inconsistent to be relied upon, and Dale Stephens is not a premier league standard midfielder - to be honest I’d say Brighton are quietly kicking themselves that they didn’t have a January call back clause for Molumby. I honestly think he would make a difference to their midfield over the next few months. Webster has cost them a few goals at this stage. And while Dan Burn has done okay defensively as a make shift left back, at 6ft7 his centre of gravity is higher than Connollys fringe and has no place being a premier league full back. There are many other areas where Brighton fans should also be focused on rather than just their forward line, who actually have been poorly serviced apart from the few times Potter has elected for 2 up front.

[samhaydenjr]

I’ve watched every minute he’s been on pitch this year. Worth remembering he only has had 8 starts, and the majority of those has been as a lone striker with terrible service. He had an attempt cleared off the line on his debut, and a miraculous save prevented him from scoring vs Spurs, which would have doubled his goals tally. The goals will come.

Brighton are a nice team to watch, but a lot of their passing is non-penetrating and lack the quality players for the telling pass. Alzate and Troussard may change this as they continue to get game time, they can be game changers.

I was pretty much thinking the same, although I can see why there is a little concern - he's reasonably quick but doesn't have the blinding pace to outrun defenders in a footrace that Obafemi or Long would have; he can create some space with his footwork, but doesn't seem to have the level of trickery to bamboozle defenders and leave them standing. But, on the other hand, as you said, besides the two goals against Spurs, only a miracle goal-line clearance from Fabian Schar prevented him from scoring with a classy finish against Newcastle; he scored in one League Cup tie and hit the bar in another; he seems to have good fox-in-the-box instincts that have allowed him to create chances for himself and have led to him forcing at least four saves that I can think of; he also won the free-kick and penalty that led to Brighton's goals in one game. So while he hasn't built on his goal tally and isn't yet tormenting backlines, he is regularly making telling contributions.

And, like you said, he has done this while receiving service that has been limited, at best - and the point you make about Trossard is important - Trossard seems to be one Brighton player who really has the ability to unlock defenses with a key pass, but Connolly almost never seems to be on the pitch with him for significant amounts of time, having been substituted at least a couple of times shortly after Trossard has been sprung from the bench

[paul_oshea]

Havent really been on here or this thread , alluded to jury is still out a couple of months back and stated he needs to start scoring, but ive been saying on another forum the last month that my colleagues at work who regularly attend and are fairly moderate football fans, not swinging one way or the other, think hes a bit one dimensional and doesnt suit the style of play that Brighton play. They think he has an awful lot to learn and that hes not the kind of forward that Brighton really need, or necessarily want. One even said with all due respect to Ireland he will probably be a good player for you but he wont be one to be banging in goals in the epl. thats been the concensus for a while now, but people will try and defend it as they have been on the other forum. I think its a fair assessment given the games and minutes played. the two goals against Totenham might have seen him getting more game time but seem to be to his own detriment now.

[paul_oshea]

I don't believe he's good enough to be playing in the Premier League yet and numerous games putting in below par performances without scoring is not doing his confidence any favours. He may score the odd goal or two but generally when I've watched him he seems off the pace. A loan to a Championship club would do him good but will not happen due to Brighton being short of alternatives.

great to see an informed and assertive poster back. agree with this.

[paul_oshea]

I was pretty much thinking the same, although I can see why there is a little concern - he's reasonably quick but doesn't have the blinding pace to outrun defenders in a footrace that Obafemi or Long would have; he can create some space with his footwork, but doesn't seem to have the level of trickery to bamboozle defenders and leave them standing. But, on the other hand, as you said, besides the two goals against Spurs, only a miracle goal-line clearance from Fabian Schar prevented him from scoring with a classy finish against Newcastle; he scored in one League Cup tie and hit the bar in another; he seems to have good fox-in-the-box instincts that have allowed him to create chances for himself and have led to him forcing at least four saves that I can think of; he also won the free-kick and penalty that led to Brighton's goals in one game. So while he hasn't built on his goal tally and isn't yet tormenting backlines, he is regularly making telling contributions.

And, like you said, he has done this while receiving service that has been limited, at best - and the point you make about Trossard is important - Trossard seems to be one Brighton player who really has the ability to unlock defenses with a key pass, but Connolly almost never seems to be on the pitch with him for significant amounts of time, having been substituted at least a couple of times shortly after Trossard has been sprung from the bench

sadly the game has really moved on from this though from what non top teams are looking for in their lone striker/forwards. A lower premier league team requires much more attributes from their forwards, connolly has very few of these and that's why generally Brighton fans dont think hes good enough but they know they dont have many options at the moment.

Granted Preston were not up for it and had made a lot of changes, but most of those attributes you mentioned there, Idah showed to possess them in that game against preston. And a keen eye for goal with a good finish what youve mentioned about connolly, very early days there though.

[dynamo kerry]

connolly can clearly play and is not intimidated by the EPL defenders. I'm not sure what dropping a division is supposed to achieve because there are very few footballers who can climb out of the championship successfully. he's getting reasonable gametime. Potter has not been negative. he is contributing. A goal or two in his next 4 or 5 games and everyone would be thrilled. any loan move would need to be really carefully picked so he would get game time in a system that allows him to play to his strenghts. a random drop to the Championship would not be as valuable as sporadic game time. he's 19, it's his first season, brighton are under pressure and are used to servicing a fully fit, mobile murray, it's really not so bad at the moment.

[youngirish]

I wouldn't automatically assume Connolly will be guaranteed to get more football if he stays at Brighton for the rest of the season. They are in the market for a new striker which you would expect will limit his opportunities. Considering they are also out of the cup a decent loan move could do him good as with Molumby at Millwall. Of course if he starts banging in goals then everything could change fairly quickly.

[livehead1]

Is he fit at the moment?

[tricky_colour]

Is he fit at the moment?


https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

He is not listed as injured here so I assume he is fit.

[paul_oshea]

He is fit as I mentioned the general consensus at Brighton is he needs to work on his all round game.

[jbyrne]

He is fit as I mentioned the general consensus at Brighton is he needs to work on his all round game.

no more than most of that Brighton team in reality

[DeLorean]

Valuable insight, nineteen year old needs to work on his game.

[paul_oshea]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0117/1108044-brighton-boss-handling-unique-connolly-with-care/

[paul_oshea]

Valuable insight, nineteen year old needs to work on his game.

pull up your stats again as a justifiable reason :D. You know I said more than just this, Brighton fans and manager don't feel he offers enough to merit a place and is a little one dimensional. The more moderate fans believe he will be a good asset for Ireland but not a massive goal scorer in the Premier league. Brighton need someone who offers more than he is, at least currently able to offer, jury is still out on whether he has those other aspects to his game.

[DeLorean]

Brighton fans and manager don't feel he offers enough to merit a place and is a little one dimensional.


By 'a place' you obviously mean an automatic starting place, in every single game? Is that your measure of whether a nineteen year old is making decent progress or not?

Potter has said he needs to work on his game, pretty standard stuff when talking about a young player. It says a lot that you need 'insiders' to point that out to you. Maybe watch a few games and form an opinion of your own.

[paul_oshea]

I don't need anyone to point out, its on here people are making assumptions based on a few snippets. I am taking it from people who are seeing in on a game by game basis. You'd be better to pay heed than the odd bit you've seen on TV. as usual you have shifted the goalposts, first you used his not playing as a reason to say its hardly fair to judge him and what do you expect him to do with that time, i merely countered hed be playing more if he was good enough or doing enough in games.

Hes not playing full games or coming on as they see him as more of an impact player. If he was doing well enough hed be playing full games. As I said the jurys still out on him, if brighton are chaasing a game and hitting long balls up, which they do a lot of he isnt the player for that. He needs to run at defenses with the ball at his feet. He doesnt offer anything else at the moment for them.

[tetsujin1979]

From https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/1573309/potter-i-expect-reaction-from-hurt-villa


Ireland striker Aaron Connolly was left out of the squad for last weekend’s game against Everton and Potter stressed the importance of managing the workload for the young forward as he continues to develop.

“We must remember that he’s still only 19 years old, he’s learning the game and learning how to be a Premier League footballer," said Potter. "That’s just a natural process because this time last year he was playing in the under-23s.

“He’s taken a step up to play in the most competitive league in the world so it’s probably a bit unfair for us to just expect him to be available for every single minute.

“We need to help him improve and be a better player and professional, but his attributes are unique and he brings something different. I don’t think we have anyone else like him in the group.”

[DeLorean]

pull up your stats again as a justifiable reason

If you insist. :)

Connolly has played 720 PL minutes in total. 438 (60%) of these have come in games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea & Tottenham, most of which were away from home (6/8). It's been a disproportionately steep learning curve, even by PL standards. Hopefully he can get back in the team for the next few fixtures, which look like a much better opportunity for a Brighton forward to impress or score.

Aston Villa (h); Bournemouth (a); West Ham (a); Watford (h); Sheff Utd (a); Crystal Palace (h)

[DeLorean]

I don't need anyone to point out, its on here people are making assumptions based on a few snippets.

You clearly do, you don't actually have an opinion based on what you've seen, with your own eyes. What assumptions are people making - and what people? Stu & Tommy, to name a couple, have said they've seen every minute he's played, hardly a few snippets.


As I said the jurys still out on him, if brighton are chaasing a game and hitting long balls up, which they do a lot of he isnt the player for that. He needs to run at defenses with the ball at his feet. He doesnt offer anything else at the moment for them.

Of course the jury's out on him, he's played 720 minutes of league football ffs. Is somebody actually saying he's the finished article? Pure straw man stuff as usual.

Answer this - what were your hopes for him at the start of the season? Is he doing better or worse than you would've hoped?

[paul_oshea]

If you insist. :)

Connolly has played 720 PL minutes in total. 438 (60%) of these have come in games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea & Tottenham, most of which were away from home (6/8). It's been a disproportionately steep learning curve, even by PL standards. Hopefully he can get back in the team for the next few fixtures, which look like a much better opportunity for a Brighton forward to impress or score.

Aston Villa (h); Bournemouth (a); West Ham (a); Watford (h); Sheff Utd (a); Crystal Palace (h)

O’Brien was elevated to open the innings with Paul Stirling in T20s last year and the partnership seemed to click immediately, with the two batters finishing the calendar year number one [Stirling] and number two [O’Brien] in run-scoring in T20Is worldwide.

[paul_oshea]

You clearly do, you don't actually have an opinion based on what you've seen, with your own eyes. What assumptions are people making - and what people? Stu & Tommy, to name a couple, have said they've seen every minute he's played, hardly a few snippets.



Of course the jury's out on him, he's played 720 minutes of league football ffs. Is somebody actually saying he's the finished article? Pure straw man stuff as usual.

Answer this - what were your hopes for him at the start of the season? Is he doing better or worse than you would've hoped?

When he made his debut or shortly after I said I'd hope hed have 5 goals or so in his appearances by january or so. That hasn't happened so ya I am a little disappointed.

And just to be clear its not about the finished article, its what he can offer. I am saying thats what the jury is still out on. Can he offer those other things? I am not so sure he can. Which in this day and age in the PL unless in a top 6 or 7 side where they have others around to do the other things, you need to be able to survive and thrive.

[DeLorean]

I asked at the start of the season, not after he scored two goals against Spurs. Who's moving the goalposts? :rolleyes:

[paul_oshea]

If you insist. :)


Aston Villa (h); Bournemouth (a); West Ham (a); Watford (h); Sheff Utd (a); Crystal Palace (h)

You'd surely expect a return of 1 or 2 goals there if he is playing in all games? Villa, Bournemouth, watford and West Ham id be hoping for a couple there.

[paul_oshea]

I asked at the start of the season, not after he scored two goals against Spurs. Who's moving the goalposts? :rolleyes:

Misread that sorry, I'd have hoped hed have played around 15 games for Brighton across all competitions and scored a few goals at least across a few games.

[DeLorean]

Misread that sorry, I'd have hoped hed have played around 15 games for Brighton across all competitions and scored a few goals at least across a few games.

That he'd have played 15 games by now is it?

I'd have been happy enough that he'd feature regularly from the bench and basically establish himself as a part of their plans. We're talking about a teenager who hadn't played at all previously. The fact that he's become a regular starter is a great result (so far) as far as I'm concerned. We'd all have loved if he followed up his brace against Spurs with another goal or two, no doubt, but hopefully they'll come in the next few weeks.

[tetsujin1979]

O’Brien was elevated to open the innings with Paul Stirling in T20s last year and the partnership seemed to click immediately, with the two batters finishing the calendar year number one [Stirling] and number two [O’Brien] in run-scoring in T20Is worldwide.
Make a point from this. or I'm deleting it for irrelevance. Fast.

[paul_oshea]

Make a point from this. or I'm deleting it for irrelevance. Fast.

Its fairly obvious i would have thought that was obvious, I forgot what I'm working with here. Last year was the ODI cricket world cup, few teams were playing T20. Stats can be read anyway you want them to be.

It's a good one, so I suppose it shouldn't be expected to be understood here.

Sorry I couldnt get to it that fast. I had work to do unfortunately, don't have time to be rushing on here sadly.

[tetsujin1979]

how is that relevant

[Razors left peg]

Connolly starting today, his career might not be over afterall

[tommy_c12000]

Off the pace today. Hasn’t done well with the limited amount of ball he’s received. Murray will replace him earlier than expected unless he picks things up. 30 minutes gone

[Razors left peg]

Off the pace today. Hasn’t done well with the limited amount of ball he’s received. Murray will replace him earlier than expected unless he picks things up. 30 minutes gone
Looks very different to the player of a few months ago, lacking the spark he had. Needs a goal to get some confidence by looks of things

[TrapAPony]

Looks very different to the player of a few months ago, lacking the spark he had. Needs a goal to get some confidence by looks of things

Agreed. I'd say he will be substituted off on 60 mins. He is not doing much.

[paul_oshea]

Looks very different to the player of a few months ago, lacking the spark he had. Needs a goal to get some confidence by looks of things

I posted on another forum yesterday what the general consensus from Brighton fans is is that he's either regressed or the starting games were one offs. They're becoming less convinced by him by the game...maybe needs to start coming on as the impact sub. Like James McLean :D

[SkStu]

Let’s put this into context. He’s an extremely talented player who is adapting to the rigours of top flight football in a side that is fighting for their PL survival.

I can only say what I have seen - his all round performances have been pretty impressive for a kid in that context. I’m sure I saw all weekend games he played right up to Christmas and he impressed me every time with his all round play and the positions he was getting into. He fluffed some chances but was also unlucky with others. He’s a smart player. Im confident that goals will come with more experience and with time.

He’s still only 19 (nearly 20) and he has 3 senior goals. We should be proud of him. We might also tend to forget that he was PL2 player of the year last year on only about a half a season - he scored 11 goals in that time. It will come for him.

Let’s get behind him instead of trying to position to be the first one to say “I told you so” if/when that arises.

[Olé Olé]

Agreed Stu. No wonder we haven't had a young striker come through in so long.

[youngirish]

Let’s put this into context. He’s an extremely talented player who is adapting to the rigours of top flight football in a side that is fighting for their PL survival.

I can only say what I have seen - his all round performances have been pretty impressive for a kid in that context. I’m sure I saw all weekend games he played right up to Christmas and he impressed me every time with his all round play and the positions he was getting into. He fluffed some chances but was also unlucky with others. He’s a smart player. Im confident that goals will come with more experience and with time.

He’s still only 19 (nearly 20) and he has 3 senior goals. We should be proud of him. We might also tend to forget that he was PL2 player of the year last year on only about a half a season - he scored 11 goals in that time. It will come for him.

Let’s get behind him instead of trying to position to be the first one to say “I told you so” if/when that arises.
Or alternatively we could just offer an objective view and call it how we see it.

[paul_oshea]

Or alternatively we could just offer an objective view and call it how we see it.

This.

[paul_oshea]

Agreed Stu. No wonder we haven't had a young striker come through in so long.

What cos a minority on a football forum are calling it as they see it to the detriment of player development and progression?

[Razors left peg]

I posted on another forum yesterday what the general consensus from Brighton fans is is that he's either regressed or the starting games were one offs. They're becoming less convinced by him by the game...maybe needs to start coming on as the impact sub. Like James McLean :D

Its not unusual for a young player to make immediate impact and then regress a little before kicking on again. Rashford is probably a good example of that in recent years.

My biggest fear for Connolly over the summer seeing his social media was that he seemed like a bit too much of a lad and I wasnt sure he was professional enough to make break through, but then he goes on to have a great impact for them early in season. Now it might be a mixture of lack of the right service, lack of confidence and also defenders figuring him out a bit. I definitely think that we have seen enough in him to show that he can kick on again, but will depend on how hard he works at it. There has been zero talk from his manager that he maybe lacking in professionalism unlike Obafemi for example, so I wouldnt be at all surprised if he got another 3-5 goals before end of season.

[tetsujin1979]

I posted on another forum yesterday what the general consensus from Brighton fans is is that he's either regressed or the starting games were one offs. They're becoming less convinced by him by the game...maybe needs to start coming on as the impact sub. Like James McLean :D

Do they misspell player names in this forum too

[ifk101]

Don't share the opinion "he's not good enough" but can agree he's (currently) not good enough in the position he is playing. He needs a wider starting position. At the moment he has his back to goal, playing against defenders who are more seasoned, older, taller and physcially stronger than him. It's not working for him. He's dangerous when he gets turned and can put defenders on the back foot.

[Closed Account]

Oops, I was drunk. Don't remember context. Apologies.

[samhaydenjr]

I know, I know it seems ridiculous to be dissecting the performance of a teenager who broke into a Premier League side and scored twice in his fifth game (and was a miracle defensive clearance away from a goal two games earlier), especially given that about 18 months ago it looked possible, by this point in time, we'd have only one striker at this level. And yes, he will probably develop into a fine striker in the coming months an years.

But right now, based on what I've seen, I would still have McGoldrick, Long and Obafemi ahead of him, and perhaps Robinson, so I don't think his place in the squad for Slovakia should be guaranteed (unless Mick wants to accommodate all of them, which might not be a bad idea)

Having watched Obafemi last night, and on an earlier occasion, I think his hold-up play, passing and finishing (especially that goal against Chelsea) seem to be on a par with Connolly, at least. But he's also stronger and, of course, blindingly quick - it's the sort of pace which could change a game if unleashed after an hour on a slightly tired defence, particularly if our backline and midfield are under the cosh.