Aaron Connolly F Leyton Orient b.2000

[Olé Olé]

I think the interview is a huge step with his recovery. Coming out so publicly as an addict is also pretty much drawing a line that this is his last chance. If he goes back to his old ways then he's unlikely to ever be trusted by a half decent club again - not to mind all those wishing him well today.

There's a series of choices that falling off the wagon entails and he's added an extra layer of consequence to falling off the wagon again.

Very impressed by him and very brave. For every few tales of people's lives being destroyed by addiction, there's one that's inspirational. Wishing him all the best that he remains in the latter.

Coming down from my soapbox now

Agreed on all this. Incredibly brave for a man of 24 to take this step. Regardless of what is at stake. He has shown a lot of vulnerability in that interview but also a huge amount of determination, courage and strength.

It is so soon into his time there. I wonder if this was something he came to Sunderland and said he would want to or be willing to do when he was in talks to join them.

[Eirambler]

Sunderland will clearly be insisting on him getting his act together, but it does sound like the public interview was his call. The interviewer says a few times to him that he (Aaron) wanted to do it, and they wouldn't have left that in if it wasn't the case.

I think this is maybe where Connolly is different from someone like Stokes. I think, deep down, his heart is in the right place, he's just completely gone off the rails off the back of winning the big money contract at Brighton. He can be annoying, mouthy on the pitch and maybe hard for his teammates to like off it, but at the same time I honestly don't think he's a bad person under it all.

I think things like the previous Venezia interview and coming back to play Under 21s for Ireland show that. As does this very public Sunderland interview and particularly all the references to his parents etc. It's clear he'd love to get back to playing for Ireland again as well and that's obviously not going to be a money thing. He definitely gets another chance from me as a national team supporter. And as someone else has correctly pointed out, it's him that will suffer if he messes up again, the public nature of all this means he's on his last chance at a high level.

[Fixer82]

i've been very critical of him before but I admire his honesty and courage here. Long may it last. If he gets his head down and practices humility and gratefulness he might be a great player.

[Fixer82]

Also, I don't know anything of Connolly's family background, but the difference between him and Stokes may be that Connolly comes from a decent family with good values. Whereas as Stoke just doesn't

[tetsujin1979]

Another goal for Connolly for Sunderland's U21s tonight

[tetsujin1979]

Scored a second before being substituted

[Buckett]

Hopefully he gets a few minutes on Sunday against Hull.

[CraftyToePoke]

Off the bench for 15 today.
Lazarus Connolly

[liamoo11]

Off the bench for 15 today.
Lazarus Connolly

If we play 442 now difficult to see where he fits with us. The second striker in the 2 is most likely to be an azaz or a Taylor I think given our need to have 3 in our midfield. It's difficult to see him as a wide midfielder in a 4 and it's difficult to see him as the striker leading the line although I imagine that central striker role is where he would want to play as a goalscorer

[John83]

It's a bit early to be worrying about that. Let's let him find his feet at club level for a bit.

[~YTM~]

Hull would play 4-4-1-1 when Connolly was there. Wouldn't be ruling him out as the CF as it's not like those currently ahead of him are doing much.

Unlike Idah and Parrott he'd be more inclined to play on the shoulder of defenders and look for balls in behind. Whereas Idah and Parrott would prefer ball to feet.

[CraftyToePoke]

It's a bit early to be worrying about that. Let's let him find his feet at club level for a bit.

Yeah, Christmas & NY looming. Won't be easy. Let's see if the adorable little rascal can keep it between the ditches until February without any mysterious training / match absences or DUIs before we talk Ireland changing shape to facilitate his international career.

[elatedscum]

If we play 442 now difficult to see where he fits with us. The second striker in the 2 is most likely to be an azaz or a Taylor I think given our need to have 3 in our midfield. It's difficult to see him as a wide midfielder in a 4 and it's difficult to see him as the striker leading the line although I imagine that central striker role is where he would want to play as a goalscorer

Why are we calling it 4-4-2 if we're playing Azaz or Taylor as a third midfielder. That's 4-5-1, in which case he's competing with Szmodics, Johnston and Knight for a slot out wide left. If we're actually playing 4-4-2, he's probably competing with Troy, Szmodics and Obafemi if he finds form for that second striker slot

[CraftyToePoke]

Came on for about 25 minutes tonight.
Sunderland won, clear at the top.

[Buckett]

Started away to Preston, was taken off after an hour. Finished 0-0

[rebelmusic]

Can anyone comment on how he's been doing in the recent games he's been sprung from the bench?

[tetsujin1979]

Interviewed in the northern echo
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sp...-within-squad/

[Demesne Lad]

Scores, away to Millwall.

[irishfan86]

Scores, away to Millwall.

That’s brilliant. Delighted for him.

[Olé Olé]

There was a tweet during the week where a Sunderland fan in London had previously tweeted about being depressed. He subsequently tweeted a private message from Connolly in which Connolly said that he had seen the tweet, would get him tickets to the Millwall game and a signed jersey off all the players.

https://x.com/Mackemdownsouth/status...TH8whwtJg&s=19