Connolly not taking a penalty

newyddion said:
Looks like he bottled in in the line up.. great stuff from Bamba stepping up and keeping everyone on the level.

I actually felt for Aaron Connolly last night, hopefully he continues to get support and encouragement from our more senior players.

There’s defo a player in there.
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Where is there a player then ?
I can’t see anything.

For me, he’s a’send back to the south coast’

Part of me is desperate to see him show something and yet it’s down to him to show it
Little emotion after the ellanga miss
Maybe he was gutted to be left out however he hadn’t shown enough to stay

That said I didn’t think balagun showed much either other than wanting to run in behind when we needed to retain the ball and relieve the pressure.
Similar players are Connolly and balagun. The player showing them the way is watmore
Brilliant when he came on. Retains the ball, direct and penetration running at people.

Back to Connolly not taking a penalty though. I’m pleased he didn’t because he obviously didn’t want to however how he can look peltier bamba fry etc in the eye at training as a STRIKER to not be able to step up is pretty damning

I predict he won’t be here much longer
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
He's low on confidence. You can see that. You have to want to take a penalty. Look at some of the quality players who haven't stepped up to take one for England in big tournaments, for example. And look at some of the players who have, players you wouldn't necessarily choose to take one but feel confident enough to do it. Imagine Connolly took one and missed, he'd be shattered. You could say imagine if he took one and scored, how he'd feel, but that's confidence for you. I dare say if he'd scored for us before Friday night he'd have stepped up(that's without knowing his background re taking pens for Brighton/Ireland).

It never even crossed my mind that he hadn't taken one TBH. Just shows what you can find when you really want to find something I suppose.
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Fair enough but for 8 players to step up and he is nowhere to be seen is stark
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
It never even crossed my mind that he hadn't taken one TBH. Just shows what you can find when you really want to find something I suppose.
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You do realise you can watch games and highlights back the day after, as well as read other reaction on social media. I don’t think any Boro fan at the time penalties were taking we’re focusing on it.
 
I'm not in the "send him back" camp. I've not seen enough of him to have a strong opinion on his quality or application yet. I recall Lucas Nmetcha and how fast he was written off...

I am firmly in the "should not start ahead of Watmore yet" camp. I feel CW has tried to play him into form, but it hasn't happened yet. It could be expensive in terms of points trying to get him to perform that way.
 
TheYorkshireTerrier said:
You do realise you can watch games and highlights back the day after, as well as read other reaction on social media. I don’t think any Boro fan at the time penalties were taking we’re focusing on it.
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It is significant that a supposed striker hasn’t stepped up to take a penalty when you have gone through the five takers in a shootout.
 
I thought his involvement in the United game he did pretty well to be honest, the ball seemed to stick to him more and he won us a couple of fouls in important areas to relieve the pressure, also unluck with his outside the boot flick. I’m convinced he will do ok between now and the end of the season but I’m also in total agreement Watmore should be starting ahead of him right now, but let’s not write Connolly off yet.
 
Balagun has shown signs of being a quality player.

He will be here for a limited number of games so I would like to see him given every chance to show how good he can be.

Wilder needs to find a way to utilise him and also optimise Wattmore’s contribution.

Connolly can get to the back of the queue.
 
Clearly didnt fancy it which is a shame .... he must know he hasnt performed, not beaten a man yet and missed 3 or 4 really good goal scoring chances .... how much would Bernie be worth today compared to AC
 
Ex Footy Legs said:
Where is there a player then ?
I can’t see anything.
I predict he won’t be here much longer
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1489873563842748419

I binned him off after his first two appearances and I don’t want to be ‘that guy’ - there is clearly something not right with the lad, he had a very promising start at Brighton, now it seems their fans have turned on him and he’s on loan with us carrying a bit of extra weight. his positioning looks good and he’s got a decent touch, but his movement looks very limited and his passing is panicked and often goes back to the opposition in to spaces where we aren’t. I want the lad to do well for us.. I hope he can pull ‘it’ back.

From the pennas it looked like his head had gone, a striker with his confidence completely shot. Very telling that his first response was to comfort Elanga.. almost like he saw himself in that position.

I’ve been thinking about his tattoo and the timing of it. Out of favour at Brighton, a pic of his first prem goal and what looks like shadows of him playing as a kid at the bottom. It’s quite heartbreaking..
4bfzv1rv4nc81.jpg
 
Lad obviously has no confidence in himself. Its a shame but we can't afford to be trying to get him back up to speed with game time, when he is another clubs player. He'll need to sort himself out and find some sort of form or sit on the bench at best.

As for him not really celebrating the shoot out, could be a bit of a guilt complex as he might feel he should have taken a penalty and would be a fraud to be celebrating with the rest of the team. Probably a vicous circle and hard to pull yourself out of.
 
Mwelolo said:
I will be very disappointed if Connolly starts the next game.

He’s shown very little here and there is nothing in his record to suggest he will be a clinical finisher.

Let him gain experience as a sub, we can’t afford to carry passengers if we are going to make the playoffs.
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Don't get me wrong, he needs to earn his place and for me he's 4th choice on what I've seen so far.

I was just agreeing with Cuthbert that just because you're an attacking player doesn't necessarily mean you should be good at or like taking pens (although it usually does).

I wouldn't be judging him too harshly for not taking one. If he really didn't fancy it he did the right thing for the team. I'm sure he'll have felt pressure to put his hand up as a forward.

I would hope though he'll be working closely with a sports psychologist (assuming we employ one) to understand why his confidence is low and what he can do to improve it.
 
newyddion said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1489873563842748419

I binned him off after his first two appearances and I don’t want to be ‘that guy’ - there is clearly something not right with the lad, he had a very promising start at Brighton, now it seems their fans have turned on him and he’s on loan with us carrying a bit of extra weight. his positioning looks good and he’s got a decent touch, but his movement looks very limited and his passing is panicked and often goes back to the opposition in to spaces where we aren’t. I want the lad to do well for us.. I hope he can pull ‘it’ back.

From the pennas it looked like his head had gone, a striker with his confidence completely shot. Very telling that his first response was to comfort Elanga.. almost like he saw himself in that position.

I’ve been thinking about his tattoo and the timing of it. Out of favour at Brighton, a pic of his first prem goal and what looks like shadows of him playing as a kid at the bottom. It’s quite heartbreaking..
4bfzv1rv4nc81.jpg
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I wouldnt say the tattoo was heartbreaking more absolute cringe for me.

By the time "theres a player in there" makes an appearance the season will be all but over.
 
newyddion said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1489873563842748419

I binned him off after his first two appearances and I don’t want to be ‘that guy’ - there is clearly something not right with the lad, he had a very promising start at Brighton, now it seems their fans have turned on him and he’s on loan with us carrying a bit of extra weight. his positioning looks good and he’s got a decent touch, but his movement looks very limited and his passing is panicked and often goes back to the opposition in to spaces where we aren’t. I want the lad to do well for us.. I hope he can pull ‘it’ back.

From the pennas it looked like his head had gone, a striker with his confidence completely shot. Very telling that his first response was to comfort Elanga.. almost like he saw himself in that position.

I’ve been thinking about his tattoo and the timing of it. Out of favour at Brighton, a pic of his first prem goal and what looks like shadows of him playing as a kid at the bottom. It’s quite heartbreaking..
4bfzv1rv4nc81.jpg
Click to expand...
Interesting take on the pen’ . Did he celebrate with the players after the game ?
 
festa5 said:
Don't get me wrong, he needs to earn his place and for me he's 4th choice on what I've seen so far.

I was just agreeing with Cuthbert that just because you're an attacking player doesn't necessarily mean you should be good at or like taking pens (although it usually does).

I wouldn't be judging him too harshly for not taking one. If he really didn't fancy it he did the right thing for the team. I'm sure he'll have felt pressure to put his hand up as a forward.

I would hope though he'll be working closely with a sports psychologist (assuming we employ one) to understand why his confidence is low and what he can do to improve it.
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MAybe he needs. Rocky type of scenario? Get back to basics just like his tattoo. Start by ditching all the fake social media rubbish and get on the streets the boro to kick a few empty cans with some kids. Focus on that core feeling of joy he must have had as a kid
 
Glover_elbow said:
I wouldnt say the tattoo was heartbreaking more absolute cringe for me.

By the time "theres a player in there" makes an appearance the season will be all but over.
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It is total cringe for a player on top of his game.. no so much for Connolly
buffaloboro said:
MAybe he needs. Rocky type of scenario? Get back to basics just like his tattoo. Start by ditching all the fake social media rubbish and get on the streets the boro to kick a few empty cans with some kids. Focus on that core feeling of joy he must have had as a kid
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YES!!! 100% THIS!!
 
BoroMart said:
He's rebuilding confidence, it was the right decision not to take a pen, I have no problem with that
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What better way to rebuild confidence than bang in a goal at old Trafford. Always find it very odd that strikers forgo take penalties and let defenders go ahead of them.

As it turned out everyone is happy.
 
buffaloboro said:
MAybe he needs. Rocky type of scenario? Get back to basics just like his tattoo. Start by ditching all the fake social media rubbish and get on the streets the boro to kick a few empty cans with some kids. Focus on that core feeling of joy he must have had as a kid
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Absolutely.

Does he want to play football and be the best he can be at it or is it just a means to an end to support a certain lifestyle or "image"?

Feels like he's possibly caught between the two in terms of his mentality.
 
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