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?
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?