I like Connolly.

Chappy112 said:
Yeah a thread praising a player who played well in a 4-0 victory, bonkers 😂
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I think defending a player rather than praising. If not him who is next for the so called loyal fans to slag off. Tav, Lumley and now Connolly. Some of the FB Boro groups are a disgrace slagging players off because they are not scoring every game.
 
I have to laugh at the people who say "well he works hard that's all you expect" it might be, but we know we've had plenty of forwards who don't work hard and he works exceptionally hard. He has a role and he's playing it very well.
 
BoroPhil said:
I have to laugh at the people who say "well he works hard that's all you expect" it might be, but we know we've had plenty of forwards who don't work hard and he works exceptionally hard. He has a role and he's playing it very well.
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Short memories some people. How hard did Britt, Fletcher and Rudy work?
 
GazC_MFC said:
Connolly isn’t even a pound shop version of Wayne Rooney
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C’mon man! Connolly is a canny player and he puts a shift in for us. He’s getting better and better for me every game he plays. He looked a little bit rusty when he first joined (which is understand) and I think he suffered from Brighton fans slagging him off on social media.

His reputation suffered or how some boro fans viewed him.. very much clouded by Brighton fans.

Wayne Rooney was genuine world class.. a once in a generation talent. Connolly is still young and has the potential to be a very good player in the premier league. A poundshop Wayne Rooney would still be one hell of a player!

Best of luck to Connolly he’s playing well and he’s a boro player. He’s getting better and better, these next 8/10/11 games are crucial. We could be onto a winner here! Now is the time to really get behind the team not to start making daft poundshop comment after we’ve won 4-0

CONNOLLY NEEDS A SONG!!
 
I watched him yesterday:

a. Backing into players whilst waiting for an incoming ball in the air - he puts them off and shoves them out of the way.
b. Chasing down causing them to panic and make rash decisions.
c. Laying off balls to the likes of Balogun near the box.
d. Pulling defenders wide to allow our forwards and midfielders space to probe and penetrate Posh`s defenders.
e. Stepping aside to let Balogun score because he knew he had the goalie in front of him and knew the risk of his shot being saved was high.
f. He beats himself up - because he wants to do better - pounding the ground and looking thoroughly annoyed with himself.
g. Finding space out-of-possession and creating options for the rest of the team - confusing and exploiting Posh`s weaknesses and ability to make decisions.

Didnt look to me like a lazy, inept, incompetent, second rate player.

Must have been at a different game?
 
fmttmadmin said:
He played extremely well yesterday. Non stop thorn in the side of Peterborough - you could say he softened in up their defences for others to benefit.
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Very good insight. Thought he was much more effective for what we needed and were trying than Balogun initially.
 
r00fie1 said:
I watched him yesterday:

a. Backing into players whilst waiting for an incoming ball in the air - he puts them off and shoves them out of the way.
b. Chasing down causing them to panic and make rash decisions.
c. Laying off balls to the likes of Balogun near the box.
d. Pulling defenders wide to allow our forwards and midfielders space to probe and penetrate Posh`s defenders.
e. Stepping aside to let Balogun score because he knew he had the goalie in front of him and knew the risk of his shot being saved was high.
f. He beats himself up - because he wants to do better - pounding the ground and looking thoroughly annoyed with himself.
g. Finding space out-of-possession and creating options for the rest of the team - confusing and exploiting Posh`s weaknesses and ability to make decisions.

Didnt look to me like a lazy, inept, incompetent, second rate player.

Must have been at a different game?
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We watched the same performance 👍
 
He should have scored yesterday, so he'll be disappointed with that, but I thought he actually played well in the first half and was the best of the starting 2.

I'm not sure how I'd feel about him coming back next season given he seems to struggle to get proper efforts on goal, but I can't fault his work rate.
 
What Roofie said about him yesterday.

But he seemed very upset when the players came over after the game. A number of the players looked as though they were trying to cheer him up and he was first off the pitch. Maybe its just a confidence thing, but its a shame because he played well yesterday in the 'I'm a fcuking nuisance' role.
 
Norfolkred1 said:
I think defending a player rather than praising. If not him who is next for the so called loyal fans to slag off. Tav, Lumley and now Connolly. Some of the FB Boro groups are a disgrace slagging players off because they are not scoring every game.
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You do get that different people see players differently?
People who criticised Tavernier are not necessarily the same as those who have been critical of Lumley, or who are critical of Connolly.
Not only that but players do change and people do change their opinions of them along the way.

This is a message board for people to express their opinions. By definition we don't all agree.

I think Tavernier is a very good player, with potential who has been playing superbly since Wilder came in. I watched him second half at Blackpool close up and it was never more clear how important he is to us. He is a PL player of the near future.
I think Lumley has hugely improved after the criticism he rightly received from fans, team mates and management. I still worry about his decision making.
I think Connolly does work very hard now and plays a role, but he has one goal (plus one that obviously isn't his at Brum) and no assists in 938 minutes of Championship football. I don't rate him at all and have no problem saying so. I fully understand the role he plays, I just happen to think we have better strikers/forwards at the club and should certainly have better next season.

None of this makes me a keyboard warrior, obsessive, a non fan, or somebody who doesn't understand the game Wilder plays.

I saw Connolly play well at Brum, get stick on here and came on and hugely defended him about what I felt was undue criticism about his performance in that match. I respond on two threads last night sticking the boot into Sporar who isn't even playing and get pelters.


These are all examples of the oftren contrasting views about our players expressed on this board:
Crooks in my mind, has incredibly taken recent stick and been talked down by some. I think he is fabulous and did when others didn't.
Dijksteel has been deemed not good enough by some. I think he is an excellent prospect.
Bola needs replacing for some, yet I think he is a terrific prospect.
Howson should get a longer contract or we need an upgrade according to others because he's never been worth it. He needs to stay for me.
McNair can't play left CB, or is no midfielder to many. I think he has been outstanding playing where he does.
Sporar gets covid and goes from hero to zero for some, or wasn't ever any good for others. I think he is much better than Connolly.
Balogun is a dicky dancing fancy dan to some, but an obvious talent just waking up to others. I think he could be very good and would love him back on another year.
We should never have let Hernandez or Ikpeazu go according to some, whilst others are happy to wave them off as nowhere near good enough.
Payero should have the team built round him for some, or be moved on quietly in the summer for others. I like him a lot.
Jones is a world beater, or should be moved over to the left to accommodate the world beater Spence. I absolutely love Jones doing what he does where he does.
Coburn must start, or must be protected and brought along carefully; everyone has a view about Richmond Josh. He is an absolute diamond.
Some can't wait to put the boot in on young Nathan Wood, who I rate very highly and am delighted is still our player. This on every thread about the lad - ironically one of them is most vocal about me criticising Connolly (Diego who is far from backward coming forward with his criticism of some players, but he just happens to love Connolly)
The crowd, the fans, this board have differing opinions on everybody. It is natural.

As I always post and always mean, if Connolly plays then I hope he does well for us and I hope he scores and if he does then I will applaud and comment.
I've never even thought about putting a poster on ignore and am not about to start, but if the views of another do irritate you so, then its easy to deal with I'm told.
 
indeedido said:
You do get that different people see players differently?
People who criticised Tavernier are not necessarily the same as those who have been critical of Lumley, or who are critical of Connolly.
Not only that but players do change and people do change their opinions of them along the way.

This is a message board for people to express their opinions. By definition we don't all agree.

I think Tavernier is a very good player, with potential who has been playing superbly since Wilder came in. I watched him second half at Blackpool close up and it was never more clear how important he is to us. He is a PL player of the near future.
I think Lumley has hugely improved after the criticism he rightly received from fans, team mates and management. I still worry about his decision making.
I think Connolly does work very hard now and plays a role, but he has one goal (plus one that obviously isn't his at Brum) and no assists in 938 minutes of Championship football. I don't rate him at all and have no problem saying so. I fully understand the role he plays, I just happen to think we have better strikers/forwards at the club and should certainly have better next season.

None of this makes me a keyboard warrior, obsessive, a non fan, or somebody who doesn't understand the game Wilder plays.

I saw Connolly play well at Brum, get stick on here and came on and hugely defended him about what I felt was undue criticism about his performance in that match. I respond on two threads last night sticking the boot into Sporar who isn't even playing and get pelters.


These are all examples of the oftren contrasting views about our players expressed on this board:
Crooks in my mind, has incredibly taken recent stick and been talked down by some. I think he is fabulous and did when others didn't.
Dijksteel has been deemed not good enough by some. I think he is an excellent prospect.
Bola needs replacing for some, yet I think he is a terrific prospect.
Howson should get a longer contract or we need an upgrade according to others because he's never been worth it. He needs to stay for me.
McNair can't play left CB, or is no midfielder to many. I think he has been outstanding playing where he does.
Sporar gets covid and goes from hero to zero for some, or wasn't ever any good for others. I think he is much better than Connolly.
Balogun is a dicky dancing fancy dan to some, but an obvious talent just waking up to others. I think he could be very good and would love him back on another year.
We should never have let Hernandez or Ikpeazu go according to some, whilst others are happy to wave them off as nowhere near good enough.
Payero should have the team built round him for some, or be moved on quietly in the summer for others. I like him a lot.
Jones is a world beater, or should be moved over to the left to accommodate the world beater Spence. I absolutely love Jones doing what he does where he does.
Coburn must start, or must be protected and brought along carefully; everyone has a view about Richmond Josh. He is an absolute diamond.
Some can't wait to put the boot in on young Nathan Wood, who I rate very highly and am delighted is still our player. This on every thread about the lad - ironically one of them is most vocal about me criticising Connolly (Diego who is far from backward coming forward with his criticism of some players, but he just happens to love Connolly)
The crowd, the fans, this board have differing opinions on everybody. It is natural.

As I always post and always mean, if Connolly plays then I hope he does well for us and I hope he scores and if he does then I will applaud and comment.
I've never even thought about putting a poster on ignore and am not about to start, but if the views of another do irritate you so, then its easy to deal with I'm told.
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Don’t ‘love’ Connolly just sick of the same old people whinging on when he is playing his part in getting us to where we are in the league. I certainly don’t goes as strong as you when I do criticise players, can’t remember the last player I had a massive go at. Probably Nathan Wood for his outing against Mansfield was a bit harsh definetly but was clear his long term future will lie away from Middlesbrough, wish him well all the same. What you can’t deny is what Wilder is doing is working. If it wasn’t then we would be all be unhappy but it is. We are 5th and in a fantastic position, I think all 5 of our strikers are contributing very well in their own way.
 
newyddion said:
C’mon man! Connolly is a canny player and he puts a shift in for us. He’s getting better and better for me every game he plays. He looked a little bit rusty when he first joined (which is understand) and I think he suffered from Brighton fans slagging him off on social media.

His reputation suffered or how some boro fans viewed him.. very much clouded by Brighton fans.

Wayne Rooney was genuine world class.. a once in a generation talent. Connolly is still young and has the potential to be a very good player in the premier league. A poundshop Wayne Rooney would still be one hell of a player!

Best of luck to Connolly he’s playing well and he’s a boro player. He’s getting better and better, these next 8/10/11 games are crucial. We could be onto a winner here! Now is the time to really get behind the team not to start making daft poundshop comment after we’ve won 4-0

CONNOLLY NEEDS A SONG!!
Click to expand...
Replaced by Watmore
Cos he doesnt ever score
CONNOLLY CONNOLLY :cautious:
 
I mentioned after his debut that he reminded me a bit of Rooney.

He stretches defences by making runs in behind and works extremely hard off the ball.

I think we've finally worked out that he isn't great at holding the ball up so we don't look to play the ball long to him or to his feet as much now.
 
indeedido said:
You do get that different people see players differently?
People who criticised Tavernier are not necessarily the same as those who have been critical of Lumley, or who are critical of Connolly.
Not only that but players do change and people do change their opinions of them along the way.

This is a message board for people to express their opinions. By definition we don't all agree.

I think Tavernier is a very good player, with potential who has been playing superbly since Wilder came in. I watched him second half at Blackpool close up and it was never more clear how important he is to us. He is a PL player of the near future.
I think Lumley has hugely improved after the criticism he rightly received from fans, team mates and management. I still worry about his decision making.
I think Connolly does work very hard now and plays a role, but he has one goal (plus one that obviously isn't his at Brum) and no assists in 938 minutes of Championship football. I don't rate him at all and have no problem saying so. I fully understand the role he plays, I just happen to think we have better strikers/forwards at the club and should certainly have better next season.

None of this makes me a keyboard warrior, obsessive, a non fan, or somebody who doesn't understand the game Wilder plays.

I saw Connolly play well at Brum, get stick on here and came on and hugely defended him about what I felt was undue criticism about his performance in that match. I respond on two threads last night sticking the boot into Sporar who isn't even playing and get pelters.


These are all examples of the oftren contrasting views about our players expressed on this board:
Crooks in my mind, has incredibly taken recent stick and been talked down by some. I think he is fabulous and did when others didn't.
Dijksteel has been deemed not good enough by some. I think he is an excellent prospect.
Bola needs replacing for some, yet I think he is a terrific prospect.
Howson should get a longer contract or we need an upgrade according to others because he's never been worth it. He needs to stay for me.
McNair can't play left CB, or is no midfielder to many. I think he has been outstanding playing where he does.
Sporar gets covid and goes from hero to zero for some, or wasn't ever any good for others. I think he is much better than Connolly.
Balogun is a dicky dancing fancy dan to some, but an obvious talent just waking up to others. I think he could be very good and would love him back on another year.
We should never have let Hernandez or Ikpeazu go according to some, whilst others are happy to wave them off as nowhere near good enough.
Payero should have the team built round him for some, or be moved on quietly in the summer for others. I like him a lot.
Jones is a world beater, or should be moved over to the left to accommodate the world beater Spence. I absolutely love Jones doing what he does where he does.
Coburn must start, or must be protected and brought along carefully; everyone has a view about Richmond Josh. He is an absolute diamond.
Some can't wait to put the boot in on young Nathan Wood, who I rate very highly and am delighted is still our player. This on every thread about the lad - ironically one of them is most vocal about me criticising Connolly (Diego who is far from backward coming forward with his criticism of some players, but he just happens to love Connolly)
The crowd, the fans, this board have differing opinions on everybody. It is natural.

As I always post and always mean, if Connolly plays then I hope he does well for us and I hope he scores and if he does then I will applaud and comment.
I've never even thought about putting a poster on ignore and am not about to start, but if the views of another do irritate you so, then its easy to deal with I'm told.
Click to expand...
Top post Indeedido 👍

We are all Boro supporters. We travel from all over the country to watch the Boro, we all want Boro to do well. We all want whoever puts that red shirt on to play a blinder. I think what some fans don’t understand is that criticism can be constructive with the interests of the team at its very core. I am sure there are some fans that think supporting the Boro means you can’t find fault as if somehow it is a heinous crime, disloyal. Some of the posters may even possibly have been at Stoke in March 2017 witnessing, maybe even joining in with the disgraceful bile aimed at AK and some of the players (which sickened me to hear) or at Barnsley re Mogga, who knows 🤷‍♂️ I’d put money on a few sticking up for Britt but eventually calling him out.

I know one thing, thankfully Chris Wilder wont have that attitude. He will call out players performances when needed in his own inimitable way. He will drill down into nuances of games, he will try to improve the players individually for the good of the team, he will point out and try to stop mistakes. He was very clear to point out some wont be on the journey for long. That tells me he knows certain players need replacing because they are not up to the task thank goodness.

I like Watmore and Sporar but Balogun is finding his feet, Connolly does graft, run defences ragged and that does help tire players later in the game but he is also there to score goals and personally I don’t think either of the 2 credited to him were particularly ‘his goals’ they both were due to a significant dose of opposition assistance, the Birmingham one was clearly an own goal. I do acknowledge his part in them goals mind, but for him the ball would not have ended up in the net.

We all see the same game, we don’t always notice the same things, different angles and viewing perspectives can be deceptive, but they can be telling too. The board is here so we can all share our thoughts. Nobody is always right or wrong. Players get rightly lauded when they do well and criticised when they don’t, which is part of being a fan, we are all barrack-room managers at times, being a fan is so much more than just cheering a team on.
 
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