Over the whole season, our away form has been dodgey as we all know. It's been suggested that if we don't sort it out and get more wins away from St Mary's, it may cost us our spot at the top of the league. (I personally agree) But, the little irishman has been our most influential player in all of the away games that he's played in. Away games with Connolly (league games): Barnsley 0-1 Saints Ipswich 2-5 Saints Leicester 3-2 Saints Burnley 1-1 Saints Cardiff 2-1 Saints Derby 1-1 Saints Reading 1-1 Saints Nott'm 0-3 Saints Away games without Connolly (league games): Coventry 2-4 Saints Bristol City 2-0 Saints Doncaster 1-0 Saints Portsmouth 1-1 Saints Brighton 3-0 Saints Them results show a massive improvement when Connolly is playing, and we seem to play more quick, passing and flowing football (the Adkins way). But with Connolly not always match fit or most of the time injured. IMO we should only play him for away games because at St Mary's, our fans get right behind the team what ever team we are playing. This has already been proved to improve our performances and results. With the quality of the players we have now at Southampton, we can rotate our players and try and keep everyone involved. If we get another striker and Lee, then his opportunities are obviously limited due to age and quality of players we have. But I still think he has LOADS to offer Saints in our remaining 20 games. What are your thoughts?
Connolly played against Brighton. But anyhow, he's been a big part of our success so far, which is why I hope he's not just dumped on the bench at the end of this month and that Lee and a potential other striker have to work hard to get into the first 11. His link-up play gets the best out of players such as Lallana, crucial for if we are to stay in the top 2 until the end of April.
That's not the highest praise you could have given him. He plays in ours, so he's proven that already.
Agreed, I have understated how highly i rate him, thought i'd better not say anything too outlandish tho
Decent article, and I think it's something well worth highlighting. Connolly is a fantastic football, who is integral to the way we play from an offensive side of things. At home, it's easier to get by without him, for a variety of reasons (although we're still better with him), but away we apparently do really suffer from his absence.
He brings the best out of lallana makes more space for lambert and is a goal scorer while im excited about new recruits it would be one hell of a signing to get a better player than connelly unfortuanatly he doesnt have long left in him which is the only reason hes not still in the prem.
Well, I'll try then. I would go as far to say that a fully match fit Connolly could still do a decent shift in half the Premier League teams.
im a big fan of connolly, i dont think its coincidence that we won so many of the first few games when he was in the side.
Connolly is a seasoned professional and plays to his strengths. He knows where the back of the net is and he knows how to link our play together. Beyond all that, you can really see his passion for the game. He's taken his opportunity with Southampton with both hands. I for one would love to keep him around when he decides to retire as he has a lot to offer our youngsters. His positional sense is top class.
I think it's amazing that a player like Connolly was a free agent for so long before we signed him. I think he may of shocked himself by how well he's doing at the moment. He could easily play a role with us in the Premier League if you ask me.
I think having him helping to train the kids would be a big, big plus. If they can learn just half of what he knows it would be more than many will learn whilst playing. He seems to do it without thinking and has always been a natural as far as I am concerned.
Without the injuries, Connolly would definately be playing PL football right now. He's very sharp for his age and all round a class act. It will be a great shame if he hangs his boots up at the end of the season and I hope the younger lads are learning some good lessons off him.
Agreed. When he scored I wondered where he'd come from. Watching on player you can see his anticipation and the way he makes room to score. OK they were awful at the back, but it was still a lesson in the art of striking.
