QPR defender is handed lifeline by Hughes Ian Cooper Thursday, August 2, 2012 10:00 AM Matthew Connolly will have the chance to prove himself this season .. Mark Hughes has quashed speculation that Matt Connolly will leave the club this summer, and insists the defender will have the opportunity to prove himself. Connolly managed just seven appearances for the Rs last season, the last of which came under former boss Neil Warnock in the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in December. Hughes sent Connolly out on loan in January, and the 24-year-old had been tipped to depart Loftus Road this summer. However, Hughes is keen to give the former Arsenal man first-team chances ahead of the new season. âMattâs done really well. He will get more game time,â said Hughes. âIt was difficult for him when I first came to the club because I hadnât seen a great deal of him before that so I felt his best option was to go out on loan. âBut I always said that I wanted to see him in the summer and would give him the chance.â
I'm guessing it's because we're a bit short at the back. Another defender and fb, he'll be on his way.
Give him a chance, realise he plays like he is stoned 90% of the time and then flog him to a championship side, or Reading!
Really pleased and look forward gain to him proving a lot wrong ... when he was in the groove with Kasper they were fantastic. He was also excellent again at Reading last season. Swords before you start ... this lad can play and with the help of the others he can regain the confidence... Remember that he was being watched closely by big teams during our championship season. Remember also he keep Hill out of the CB positions and we kept a record number of clean sheets ... I am sincerely over the moon for him and i hope he takes his chance
He should only be in the squad as he can play all 3 positions, none of them that good though. 3rd choice LB/RB and about 5th choice CB is ok by me, anything more and we are in trouble.
Not sure on this one. I liked Matt and thought he would do well but has not really made the step up. Agree he had a good season at Reading but that was Championship and it really is a poor league. Would rather have Samba or someone else, if they really are wanting us to push forward they need to spend on a decent CB.
He plays reasonably well, but the amount of mistakes he makes is too many at this level. He also gets caught out of position at crucial times, the premier league is fast paced for him. Every time I watched him the back end of title winning season and last year I thought he was going to give a penalty away...
The thing is that you just never know. He might just come on in leaps and bounds under the Hughes system and do what Hill did last season. There again, he might be out on loan again in January.
Absolutely this. Hughes has already gotten away with offering Buzsaky a contract which he mercifully declined. He then signs Dyer up for a year but there's rumours Paladini had Dyer tied into a contract so that mightn't be his fault. But if he is indeed getting rid of Young and holding onto Connolly its a mistake akin to COLIN selling Gorkks last year and signing Gabbidon.
Who knows...Hill was looking like he was out of the picture before his heroics at the end of the season. If Matt impresses the manager in training and pre season, then why the hell should we not give him a chance. He is still relatively young and can improve further. He is gaining experience all the time and can offer us cover across the back four. Whilst I agree he might not be the best defender we have, I am pleased to see he is being given a chance to impress the boss and hopefully improve his game.
Weve seen him for years, Hughes has seen him for a handful of games. We will all be delighted to admit we were wrong if he becomes a solid PL defender but to me hes always a penalty and/or a red card waiting to happen.
