Connolly really ?

boroPE said:
To be fair we werent great against Blackpool and Reading but got the right results.
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I would agree with that and you can add Mansfield to the list. Runs come to an end. It is now about starting a new one. People can point the finger at Connelly and that's up to them, but think it isn't hugely beneficial to do so. I would certainly start Duncan ahead of him 100% and introduce Connelly from the bench for the time being. All about getting his match fitness and sharpness built asap. However, as much as it pains me, had Crooks buried either of his free headers from 6 yards, we would be laughing.
 
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To be fair to Connolly he hasn't played much first team football recently. That chance that he lashed at and went for power which badly missed the target was typical of a player out of form, lacking in confidence and just trying too hard.

He wasn't great against Blackburn but he showed bits of promise in the Reading match last week. He probably needs to get back on the training ground and get working and the confidence and finishing will be back. I am sure his time will come this season, it's far too early for some to be writing him off.

I'd like to see Balagun given a start soon though he's looked like he has some nice touches in his cameos so far.
 
Whilst you could pick almost anyone as inadequate last night, Connelly looked like half the player Watmore has proved himself to be. Having said that, Sprorar was invisible. In hindsight Izpeazu would probably have had more success against typical Mogga agricultural centre backs. Blackburn were quicker than us, leading to 4 bookings in 30 minutes and just wanted it more. If their flying winger could actually cross a ball we might have been done by more. So disappointing that the front two weren't subbed much earlier. That apart, I can't fault the after match comments from Wilder who saw the same match I did.
 
Like most players who've been sat on the bench on in the reserves Connolly will unfortunately need time to address both his tech and non tech skills. I'm not suggesting that he's slow but some of his tackles could have been better timed although I do remember his poor tackling at Brighton. Anyone feel that he's playing on Sporar's space? Connolly's effort late on where he blazed over probably should have been Sporar's to hit. Anyone think we were playing too heavy on the right and therefore it played into Rover's defensive strengths? CW took his time to address this issue and although he addressed it by bringing on Watmore et al I just feel that it didn't really change the focus which was to pass to Jones or keep the ball on the right.
 
Expat Smoggie said:
Like most players who've been sat on the bench on in the reserves Connolly will unfortunately need time to address both his tech and non tech skills. I'm not suggesting that he's slow but some of his tackles could have been better timed although I do remember his poor tackling at Brighton. Anyone feel that he's playing on Sporar's space? Connolly's effort late on where he blazed over probably should have been Sporar's to hit. Anyone think we were playing too heavy on the right and therefore it played into Rover's defensive strengths? CW took his time to address this issue and although he addressed it by bringing on Watmore et al I just feel that it didn't really change the focus which was to pass to Jones or keep the ball on the right.
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re positioning yes, average positions in 1st half showed them to have been right under each other’s feet.
 
Connolly and Sporar are both goal-hanger types - who aren't really interested unless they get to score - whereas Watmore and Balogun are more support strikers who can drop deep or wide to link play. I'd play Sporar with either Watmore or Balogan, Connolly's first touch was tragic last night and he needs to bide his time and get his confidence up with a few under-23 games. Worry he's on some sort of automatic start promise.
 
allied_assault said:
We are surely not writing the guy off after a couple of games??!!
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Yes I am, I've done that with a number of players and I am almost always right. I think you can tell pretty quickly whether someone has attributes to succeed or not, remember Phil Whelan. Connolly doesn't look quick, or skilful, so I am curious to know what his key attributes are. There are some strikers who don't do much other than be great poachers, our own Bernie Slaven, Glenn Murray, Billy Sharpe to name a few but Connolly's career goal ratio 1 in 6 so far indicates he's not one of them. looking at the Brighton forum they are certainly not impressed with him either another good indicator as to whether a player is decent or not. I don't have a grudge against the guy I will be happy to re-evaluate my opinion if he starts scoring for fun, but i really don't think that's going to happen. I also think it was incredibly harsh on Watmore to lose a place to a guy I don't believe is match fit. Having started him at Blackburn which i thought was the wrong decision from Wilder, he should have hooked him off at half time, He was so far off the pace.
 
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equaliser said:
Connolly and Sporar are both goal-hanger types - who aren't really interested unless they get to score
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I terms of Sporar i'm not sure I agree with that statement personally (sorry to sound like a d**k).

I've seen a lot of positives in Sporars game especially his technical ability. He does try and link up play and hold the ball up etc, I noticed he was dropping a bit deep against Blackburn the other night to try and get involved.

Rhodes for example scored some really important goals for us but apart from that, his touch/general play was absolutely horrific. He was an outright poacher, Sporar is a much better player than some of the dross we've had up there in recent times.
 
Another issue for me is the number of loans we have for the same position, presumably sporar, connolly, balogun, must all get significant game time regardless of their form pushing watmore down the pecking order.
 
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