Aaron Connolly F Millwall b.2000

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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Originally Posted by youngirish

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

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This.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

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

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

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

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

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Do they misspell player names in this forum too

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.

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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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A highlights reel of Connolly will surely show him at his most dangerous on the left.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

A highlights reel of Connolly will surely show him at his most dangerous on the left.

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If that's the case play him instead of McClean against the Slovaks.

A highlights reel of McClean under Michael O'Neill before the WBA game was actually very impressive!

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

A highlights reel of McClean under Michael O'Neill before the WBA game was actually very impressive!

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You kinda knew that if there was a manager that could get the best out of McClean it was Michael O’Neill . Yet again Michael O’Neill showing again how good a manager he is . Hopefully down the line he will be a Prime Candidate for the Republic of Ireland Manager job.

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

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

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I don't know how many times I've had to tell you people that you should never listen to anything fans say on message boards. Animals, the lot of them.

No need for that.

Last comment is a little OTT alright

Seeing as he's a fan on a football forum, I suspect it's a little tongue-in-cheek.

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Originally Posted by John83

Seeing as he's a fan on a football forum, I suspect it's a little tongue-in-cheek.

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It was the deleted comment that was a little rough around the edges, not CD's. :)

Not on bench today