connolly attracting intrest from villa

Living in Cardiff, this is a link I can actually speak with some authority on, even though there may seem little point given the likelihood of this move happening is probably between slim, and none. Nevertheless it’s something to talk about, and the player in question is versatile Bluebirds defender Matthew Connolly, being linked to us by those folks at Clubcall (I know, I know):‘Villa are still on the look-out for bargain buys from the Championship with Cardiff City’s Matthew Connolly recently under scrutiny.Villa had a scout at Huddersfield Town’s John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday to see a goalless draw between the Tykes and Championship leaders Cardiff in which Connolly, 25, impressed.The former Arsenal and QPR centre-back has been a key component of Malky Mackay’s promotion favourites this season as Cardiff boast the second best defensive record in the division.Lambert knows he must solve his side’s defensive shortcomings, particularly at defending set-pieces and may be looking at Connolly as a potential signing should Villa go down in May.’This link just doesn’t make sense on a whole host of levels. Firstly it states that we’re on the look-out for Championship bargains, but barring an absolute disaster, Cardiff should be a Premiership side come the summer. Having only just joined the Bluebirds last year, there is little chance that Cardiff would be willing to let such an important member of the squad leave.We might not even be a Premiership team at that point, and if we’re not (hopefully we are), then Connolly would be great. He’s strong in the air, and offers a real threat going forward. He’s deceptively quick, and unlike others, appears genuinely comfortable either centre-back or on the right, where Cardiff have used him a lot this campaign. Still, and as already mentioned, there is little to no chance of Cardiff being willing to sell any of their important players.They don’t particularly need the money, they’ve already shown they won’t sell important players (ex Villa man Whittingham springs to mind), and Connolly would be a good squad player if they finally make the step up. If Cardiff go mad, and sign a load of new defenders, then perhaps, and I’d be happy enough to see him at Villa.Nice to have a bit of gossip in February, but I’d mark this under ‘unlikely’.UTV.

http://www.upthevilla.com/villa-linked- ... f-defender

Living in Cardiff, this is a link I can actually speak with some authority on, even though there may seem little point given the likelihood of this move happening is probably between slim, and none. Nevertheless it’s something to talk about, and the player in question is versatile Bluebirds defender Matthew Connolly, being linked to us by those folks at Clubcall (I know, I know):‘Villa are still on the look-out for bargain buys from the Championship with Cardiff City’s Matthew Connolly recently under scrutiny.Villa had a scout at Huddersfield Town’s John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday to see a goalless draw between the Tykes and Championship leaders Cardiff in which Connolly, 25, impressed.The former Arsenal and QPR centre-back has been a key component of Malky Mackay’s promotion favourites this season as Cardiff boast the second best defensive record in the division.Lambert knows he must solve his side’s defensive shortcomings, particularly at defending set-pieces and may be looking at Connolly as a potential signing should Villa go down in May.’This link just doesn’t make sense on a whole host of levels. Firstly it states that we’re on the look-out for Championship bargains, but barring an absolute disaster, Cardiff should be a Premiership side come the summer. Having only just joined the Bluebirds last year, there is little chance that Cardiff would be willing to let such an important member of the squad leave.We might not even be a Premiership team at that point, and if we’re not (hopefully we are), then Connolly would be great. He’s strong in the air, and offers a real threat going forward. He’s deceptively quick, and unlike others, appears genuinely comfortable either centre-back or on the right, where Cardiff have used him a lot this campaign. Still, and as already mentioned, there is little to no chance of Cardiff being willing to sell any of their important players.They don’t particularly need the money, they’ve already shown they won’t sell important players (ex Villa man Whittingham springs to mind), and Connolly would be a good squad player if they finally make the step up. If Cardiff go mad, and sign a load of new defenders, then perhaps, and I’d be happy enough to see him at Villa.Nice to have a bit of gossip in February, but I’d mark this under ‘unlikely’.UTV.

Wouldn't bother me if he left, we have better centre-backs in Hudson and Turner, and we'll probably need to sign another quality CB still if we get promoted. He's not a Premier League standard right-back either, solid Championship at best.

I just think it's vital that we keep McNaughton, we'll need his defensive ability and the way he covers in behind centre-backs next season more so than ever. That said, I think Malky's made up his mind that he wont renew his contract.

And if that happens, it'll be a case of not realising how good he was defensively until he's gone, sadly.

Villa are still on the look-out for bargain buys from the Championship with Cardiff City's Matthew Connolly recently under scrutiny.

Villa had a scout at Huddersfield Town's John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to see a goalless draw between the Terriers and Championship leaders Cardiff in which Connolly, 25, impressed.

The former Arsenal and QPR centre-back has been a key component of Malky Mackay's promotion favourites this season as Cardiff boast the second best defensive record in the division.

Connolly, who had a loan spell at Colchester United in 2008 - a few months before Villa boss Paul Lambert took the managerial role at the Essex club - has started 25 games for Cardiff this term.

He has earned a reputation for being a leader and a good organiser at the back as Cardiff have posted three clean sheets in their last four Championship matches. He has also scored four goals - all from set pieces.

Lambert knows he must solve his side's defensive shortcomings, particularly at defending set-pieces and may be looking at Connolly as a potential signing should Villa go down in May.

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/aston-vill ... 45789.html

Living in Cardiff, this is a link I can actually speak with some authority on, even though there may seem little point given the likelihood of this move happening is probably between slim, and none. Nevertheless it’s something to talk about, and the player in question is versatile Bluebirds defender Matthew Connolly, being linked to us by those folks at Clubcall (I know, I know):‘Villa are still on the look-out for bargain buys from the Championship with Cardiff City’s Matthew Connolly recently under scrutiny.Villa had a scout at Huddersfield Town’s John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday to see a goalless draw between the Tykes and Championship leaders Cardiff in which Connolly, 25, impressed.The former Arsenal and QPR centre-back has been a key component of Malky Mackay’s promotion favourites this season as Cardiff boast the second best defensive record in the division.Lambert knows he must solve his side’s defensive shortcomings, particularly at defending set-pieces and may be looking at Connolly as a potential signing should Villa go down in May.’This link just doesn’t make sense on a whole host of levels. Firstly it states that we’re on the look-out for Championship bargains, but barring an absolute disaster, Cardiff should be a Premiership side come the summer. Having only just joined the Bluebirds last year, there is little chance that Cardiff would be willing to let such an important member of the squad leave.We might not even be a Premiership team at that point, and if we’re not (hopefully we are), then Connolly would be great. He’s strong in the air, and offers a real threat going forward. He’s deceptively quick, and unlike others, appears genuinely comfortable either centre-back or on the right, where Cardiff have used him a lot this campaign. Still, and as already mentioned, there is little to no chance of Cardiff being willing to sell any of their important players.They don’t particularly need the money, they’ve already shown they won’t sell important players (ex Villa man Whittingham springs to mind), and Connolly would be a good squad player if they finally make the step up. If Cardiff go mad, and sign a load of new defenders, then perhaps, and I’d be happy enough to see him at Villa.Nice to have a bit of gossip in February, but I’d mark this under ‘unlikely’.UTV.

Wouldn't bother me if he left, we have better centre-backs in Hudson and Turner, and we'll probably need to sign another quality CB still if we get promoted. He's not a Premier League standard right-back either, solid Championship at best.

I just think it's vital that we keep McNaughton, we'll need his defensive ability and the way he covers in behind centre-backs next season more so than ever. That said, I think Malky's made up his mind that he wont renew his contract.

And if that happens, it'll be a case of not realising how good he was defensively until he's gone, sadly.

Couldn't disagree more. Connolly has been a superb signing for us and one of the main reasons why we are so defensively strong this season. Good in the air, strong in the tackle, deceptively quick, versatile, comfortable on the ball and has also chipped in with a few important goals. The only poor game I have seen Connolly have this season is home to Peterborough. How you can say you would get rid of Connolly if we get to the Premiership next season and keep McNaughton is absolute madness.

Sorry to be a nob but can you paraphrase your OP please?

Hes not a right back 100% and we have better center halfs so it wouldnt hurt us really if he did leave come end of the season and we got better in which we will need anyway to stand a chance of staying up if we go up that is