You make an excellent point here and it sums up what I was thinking earlier today. I would like to say a MASSIVE thank you particularly to Jaidi and Connoly. They were instrumental when we were in league one with Jaidi keeping them out one end with Connoly scoring those important goals at the other end in our nail biting run in. I remember so vividly the day when it was announced we were after Jaidi and it genuinely excited me as he was exactly what we needed. When we had to wait so long to sort the work permit I was concerned another team might come in for him but fortunately we got him on board. I know Jaidi is staying with us in some shape or form so it is Connoly I would like to wish the best of luck and thank him for being such a great professional.
He's back from the dead He's back from the deeeeeeaaaaaaad David Connolly He's back from the dead !! Cheers for everything David, Some really great and important goals!! Will never forget your finger wagging at us at the Plymouth Game !! Legend !!
If Forecast was any good, we'd have let him warm the bench and sent Bart out on loan to get some game time. The kid is probably at least on a par with him. The only reason Forecast is still here is because of the ridiculous contract Rupert gave him.
Am I the only one feeling sad about not seeing connolly play for us in the premier league. I just feel he deserves it, I personally feel he could still score a few goals. I must admit I don't think he will score lots or be able to play lots of games but experience wise and tactically he is brilliant (just my opinion, feel free to disagree)
He may well decide to call it a day and move into coaching. With his injury record, he's unlikely to get better than a pay as you play deal, and if he didn't play he'd earn peanuts even by normal person standards.
It is truely exiting times for our club, looking forward to pre-season already!!!! Great news about the youngsters, they obviously have the talent and I have faith in Big Nige to blood them into the squad effectively. I'd also like to reiterate what others have said about Jaidi and Connolly. Jaidi will be a great coach if we take him on board with the amount of experience he has. Connolly isn't good enough for the prem unfortunately, but how about getting a player of similar playing style, as Michael Owen is free and he would be a great signing for us, although wages could be a problem. Come on you Saints!!!!!!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18116710 Although I feel sorry for Connolly and Jaidi, they have been there and done it. Connolly wasn't injury prone earlier in his career, before he got a biggie, and he isn't really now. He was just unlucky with getting a few, and perhaps as he has got older they have become more difficult to shake off. Besides, he simply wasn't getting picked as Saints have had to look to the future. He'll fit into a lower league club just fine, if he wants. I see him as another Jaime Cureton type, going on for years, and adding to every club he goes to. Jaidi is retiring, and he's had a fantastic career. It's Bart who I feel sorry for. He's 24 with his career ahead of him and it seems that one match may have blighted it. Perhaps it's better for him that he does go, and maybe he can come back when he's older. He's put some excellent performances in, in the past, and perhaps he needs regular football now. Then there's Lee Holmes, who seems to be wanting to stay at Swindon anyway, so that's good. Exciting times there while Di Canio is at the helm. Ryan Doble is the other unlucky lad. He's got plenty of time. Nice to see the youngsters getting contracts, and some good wishes go to the lads that didn't. I'm sure someone will run the rule over them, as they've come out of the best academy in the land.
Forgot to mention Harlee Dean, looked good for Brentford and no doubt thats where he will end up. Bet they are hoping he does this as a celebration next time he scores... [video]http://www.myspace.com/video/harlee-dean/monkey/19771373[/video]
Massive thanks to Connally and Jaidi for their massive contributions over the last 3 seasons in our progression. Bart....I was very vocal and critical of his performance after his Blackpool debacle and I didn't do that lightly as I hate seeing Saints players being lambasted. Forget his cup appearances this game was his massive chance to re-establish himself after his terrible injury many years ago but unfortunately he blew it. Happy to sit on the bench for several years probably didn't help him. Absolutely knew NA would discard him after that performance and no surprise we played several games with no keeper on the bench after that, none prior?? Good luck Bart...a keeper with undoubted ability but without doubt needs to go elsewhere to regain his ambition and mental toughness.
It is amazing that at the beginning of last season many wanted Bialkowski in the starting XI ahead of Davis, how times change.
