he was injured from December and then on loan at Luton (where you can still play for u23s or friendlies of your host team but with not the senior side)
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47784977
To be fair, Brighton had only failed to score in eight games until the end of January. Their problems at that point were in defence. By the time they had stopped scoring, Connolly was injured
All fair points Tets & elated -- perhaps I'm being too harsh on Hughton. Just want to see if Connolly has the stuff at the top level!
https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/0...iendly-defeat/ this mentions that mcauley is out of contract this summer. If that's the case shamrock rovers would be a great move he would fit in well and give them a front man who is technical and can bring others into the play and be a goal threat.
I did a check on his stats this season. He played 16 games in the PL2 for the under 23 side without a goal. The release on the cards.
At 19, this is an important decision to make alright. He is at an age where he could either come home or he could trial at a few lower league sides in England in the hope of earning a contract.
Liverpool is a graveyard for young Irish talent .........
For a lad who was spoken so highly of for so long, I feel it would be disastrous for him to come home to Rovers. Admittedly Liam, you probably know a whole lot more about the scene at home that I do, but there is plenty of time for him to come home. I can think of 24 Championship clubs he can go to before ever thinking of coming home.
It's a fair point but would he play much at championship level at the moment? I dont think he is physically good enough just yet. He cant even make our under 19 squad now with the likes of afolabi and idah not to mention obafemi ahead of him for that central role all of whom are much more powerful and athletic than he is at present. A few years at rovers playing in a side that plays good football and badly need a natural front man would give him a chance to develop physically while playing at a high level and in Europe to go back to UK maybe at 22 or 23 physically ready
@mark12345
Honestly, I really feel another year at Liverpool would do him good. Not sure he's ready for senior football yet, be it in the championship or league 1 or league of ireland. he's always been an excellent finisher, totally natural. but as he's gone from U18 to U23, the quality of defenders improved and he began to struggle. but since then, his movement off the ball and his hold up play has really improved, along with his decision making and passing in the final third. even if he was to play U23s until January and then move to Rovers hopefully for a season. It would give him an extra 6 months of physical development, at which point hopefully he'd be able for the challenges he will face.
Half our current u21 side are lads who went across at 16 and are back home now. League of Ireland clubs are filled with lads who have essentially come home to play regular football - and the quality of football in the league has improved a lot in recent years... Genuinely, I could name a team of players who could be future internationals playing in the league right now (aged between 19 and 23) - so it’s really not the death knell for a young player that it once was.
Confirmation that McCauley is leaving liverpool. One great goalscoring season for the 18s and 2 average follow on seasons . To be fair he stepped up to 23s this season and looked decent I thought when he got opportunities. At 19 it's a great age to leave after a great education. Good hold up player, decent pace nice finisher and decent size but not the most athletic yet but hopefully that will come.
Bookmarks