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.
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.
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.
Last edited by Closed Account; 23/01/2020 at 7:50 AM.
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.
A highlights reel of McClean under Michael O'Neill before the WBA game was actually very impressive!
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.
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.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Not on bench today
Bookmarks