" Connolly speaks out about Cardiff City/Plus "
Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:47 am
Connolly: Talent in Watford squad is better than teams I've been promoted with
Matthew Connolly knows what it takes to win the Championship. He did it with Queens Park Rangers in 2011, with Reading in 2012 and with Cardiff City in 2013. And he hopes to add Watford in 2015 to that list.
The defender joined the Hornets on loan from Cardiff City until the end of the campaign despite having played 26 games for the Bluebirds this season.
It was a surprise move but one Connolly, who lives in Bushey and was brought up in Hatfield, welcomed.
He has gone from a club who will finish this season in mid-table to a team which could end the campaign in the Premier League.
And Connolly believes the talent the Hornets have at their disposal surpasses that of his former title-winning sides.
He said: “With QPR we had an experienced group of players and at that point I was fairly young. So I would lean on their experience a bit in terms of going for promotion.
“At Reading I was only on loan and didn’t play many games but they were on an incredible run that year. It was just crazy.
“And at Cardiff we had a great work ethic and a great team spirit under Malky (Mackay). But I have to say, the talent in this Watford squad is better than the three teams I have been promoted with.
“So we have every chance. However, the Championship is a completely different league to what is was because it is so tight now.
“The three times I have been promoted the club I was with was well clear at the top. This season it is going to go to the wire.
“I am looking forward to it. I am sure people will be nervous and it is going to be tense, I am sure of that.
“But we have got to enjoy it and we know we are up there for the right reasons. We have to be confident.”
But while Connolly has been promoted to the Premier League on three occasions his top-flight experience has been limited to just nine appearances.
“Of course that is frustrating but it happens to a lot of players,” he said. “A promoted club is given £100-odd million when they get promoted and they are no doubt getting calls all the time from agents to sign this player or that player.
“It is obviously completely up to them who they sign. My job was to get them promoted to the Premier League and then is it up to the management who they put in the team.
“I have been disappointed both times when I have gone up and not played but it is out of my hands.
“I must work as hard as I can and if it doesn’t happen then it doesn’t happen.”
Connolly signed prior to Watford’s defeat against Ipswich Town. He wasn’t included in the squad for that game because his move hadn’t received international clearance.
The centre-back watched on from the sidelines and, during the 1-0 defeat, Hornets defender Joel Ekstrand suffered a knee ligament injury that will rule him out for the remainder of the calendar year.
That moves Connolly, who made his debut against Derby County on Friday evening, up Watford’s defensive pecking order but he doesn’t expect earning a first-team spot will be any easier following the Swedish international’s injury.
He said: “I only met Ekstrand the day before the Ipswich game and he seemed a really nice guy. It is a very bad injury and all we can do is hope he can get back as quickly as possible.
“But there are a lot of defenders who are fighting for that position. If I am called upon I am ready.
“When I joined I knew Watford were flying high and I knew I wasn’t going to walk straight into the team. I am not naive like that.
“I know my job is to help as best I can. I need to train well, keep the lads going and help the younger boys a bit.
“I have played in the Championship a while so if people want advice I will speak to them. I want to be a good influence around the place and if the manager decides to put me in the team then I am ready when called upon.”
Given his local roots it is unsurprising that Connolly has easily settled into life at Watford. And it helps when you know a few of your new teammates.
“Sean (Murray) I have seen on nights out and we got speaking to each other so I knew him before I arrived,” he explained.
“Lloyd (Doyley) I just know from him being around but I’ve also seen him on a couple of nights out. Lloyd is a legend so I know if I stick by him I will be alright I am sure.
“I also knew Ben Watson from our time at QPR as well. Those three guys have helped me and Troy (Deeney) is a great leader and a great skipper. He also sits next to me in the dressing room which has been nice.
“Then you’ve got the foreign lads as well who I try and speak to if they speak English. But I have settled in really well here.”
While Connolly is focused on helping Watford reach the top flight his long-term future at Cardiff is a little more uncertain.
He has two years left on his contract and Bluebirds manager Russell Slade has said it was a business decision to let Connolly leave rather than a football one.
The defender says he doesn’t know where he will be playing next season but wouldn’t have any objections if he was back in south Wales.
“I will always be respectful as long as I am contracted to Cardiff,” he said. “If I am wanted for next season then I will be there. If not then I will evaluate things in the summer.
“A few of the Cardiff fans wrote to me on Instagram after I’d left and they didn’t really understand the move away.
“But then a lot of stuff happens at Cardiff that the fans are not happy with. The decision to change from blue to red and things like players leaving.
“I always gave everything for Cardiff and the fans appreciated that. I was surprised to leave and I am sure the fans were surprised too.”
Matthew Connolly knows what it takes to win the Championship. He did it with Queens Park Rangers in 2011, with Reading in 2012 and with Cardiff City in 2013. And he hopes to add Watford in 2015 to that list.
The defender joined the Hornets on loan from Cardiff City until the end of the campaign despite having played 26 games for the Bluebirds this season.
It was a surprise move but one Connolly, who lives in Bushey and was brought up in Hatfield, welcomed.
He has gone from a club who will finish this season in mid-table to a team which could end the campaign in the Premier League.
And Connolly believes the talent the Hornets have at their disposal surpasses that of his former title-winning sides.
He said: “With QPR we had an experienced group of players and at that point I was fairly young. So I would lean on their experience a bit in terms of going for promotion.
“At Reading I was only on loan and didn’t play many games but they were on an incredible run that year. It was just crazy.
“And at Cardiff we had a great work ethic and a great team spirit under Malky (Mackay). But I have to say, the talent in this Watford squad is better than the three teams I have been promoted with.
“So we have every chance. However, the Championship is a completely different league to what is was because it is so tight now.
“The three times I have been promoted the club I was with was well clear at the top. This season it is going to go to the wire.
“I am looking forward to it. I am sure people will be nervous and it is going to be tense, I am sure of that.
“But we have got to enjoy it and we know we are up there for the right reasons. We have to be confident.”
But while Connolly has been promoted to the Premier League on three occasions his top-flight experience has been limited to just nine appearances.
“Of course that is frustrating but it happens to a lot of players,” he said. “A promoted club is given £100-odd million when they get promoted and they are no doubt getting calls all the time from agents to sign this player or that player.
“It is obviously completely up to them who they sign. My job was to get them promoted to the Premier League and then is it up to the management who they put in the team.
“I have been disappointed both times when I have gone up and not played but it is out of my hands.
“I must work as hard as I can and if it doesn’t happen then it doesn’t happen.”
Connolly signed prior to Watford’s defeat against Ipswich Town. He wasn’t included in the squad for that game because his move hadn’t received international clearance.
The centre-back watched on from the sidelines and, during the 1-0 defeat, Hornets defender Joel Ekstrand suffered a knee ligament injury that will rule him out for the remainder of the calendar year.
That moves Connolly, who made his debut against Derby County on Friday evening, up Watford’s defensive pecking order but he doesn’t expect earning a first-team spot will be any easier following the Swedish international’s injury.
He said: “I only met Ekstrand the day before the Ipswich game and he seemed a really nice guy. It is a very bad injury and all we can do is hope he can get back as quickly as possible.
“But there are a lot of defenders who are fighting for that position. If I am called upon I am ready.
“When I joined I knew Watford were flying high and I knew I wasn’t going to walk straight into the team. I am not naive like that.
“I know my job is to help as best I can. I need to train well, keep the lads going and help the younger boys a bit.
“I have played in the Championship a while so if people want advice I will speak to them. I want to be a good influence around the place and if the manager decides to put me in the team then I am ready when called upon.”
Given his local roots it is unsurprising that Connolly has easily settled into life at Watford. And it helps when you know a few of your new teammates.
“Sean (Murray) I have seen on nights out and we got speaking to each other so I knew him before I arrived,” he explained.
“Lloyd (Doyley) I just know from him being around but I’ve also seen him on a couple of nights out. Lloyd is a legend so I know if I stick by him I will be alright I am sure.
“I also knew Ben Watson from our time at QPR as well. Those three guys have helped me and Troy (Deeney) is a great leader and a great skipper. He also sits next to me in the dressing room which has been nice.
“Then you’ve got the foreign lads as well who I try and speak to if they speak English. But I have settled in really well here.”
While Connolly is focused on helping Watford reach the top flight his long-term future at Cardiff is a little more uncertain.
He has two years left on his contract and Bluebirds manager Russell Slade has said it was a business decision to let Connolly leave rather than a football one.
The defender says he doesn’t know where he will be playing next season but wouldn’t have any objections if he was back in south Wales.
“I will always be respectful as long as I am contracted to Cardiff,” he said. “If I am wanted for next season then I will be there. If not then I will evaluate things in the summer.
“A few of the Cardiff fans wrote to me on Instagram after I’d left and they didn’t really understand the move away.
“But then a lot of stuff happens at Cardiff that the fans are not happy with. The decision to change from blue to red and things like players leaving.
“I always gave everything for Cardiff and the fans appreciated that. I was surprised to leave and I am sure the fans were surprised too.”
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:08 am
Headline Should read "I live near Watford and please can you buy me in the summer ! "
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:17 am
I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:31 am
City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
Burnley and Leicester didnt make a lot of changes. But their fans stuck with their manager.
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:42 am
wez1927 wrote:Headline Should read "I live near Watford and please can you buy me in the summer ! "
was just thinking the same, only don't blame him one bit. I'd want out of the corpse football team as well. Still sun is shining and plenty to do this afternoon than be miserable in Leckwith, get that bow flowing Wez. 
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:58 am
blue lagoon wrote:City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
Burnley and Leicester didnt make a lot of changes. But their fans stuck with their manager.
Yes and where are they this season? Same place as city was?
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 11:31 am
City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
And there was me thinking Craig Bellamy played for us.....
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 11:39 am
llan bluebird wrote:City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
And there was me thinking Craig Bellamy played for us.....
I hope you're not confusing old mouthy no neck with talent, are you?
Re: " Connolly speaks out about Cardiff City/Plus "
Mon Apr 06, 2015 11:49 am
Connolly is the perfect Championship squad player. Not consistent enough for a regular first team place but is ideal back up to bring in and do a job for a few games before he starts playing shit.
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:02 pm
City Slicker wrote:llan bluebird wrote:City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
And there was me thinking Craig Bellamy played for us.....
I hope you're not confusing old mouthy no neck with talent, are you?
He scared the life out of the opposition......
Father time had caught up with him but he never let us down.
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:07 pm
llan bluebird wrote:City Slicker wrote:llan bluebird wrote:City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
And there was me thinking Craig Bellamy played for us.....
I hope you're not confusing old mouthy no neck with talent, are you?
He scared the life out of the opposition......
Father time had caught up with him but he never let us down.
I've heard he'd scared the life out of some poor little kids who just happened to be unfortunate enough to be in his random line of fire one home game when his behaviour was redolent of a cavemen. Oh and wasn't there an occasion when he scared the life out of some poor Norwegian having the protection of a golf club in his hand?
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Mon Apr 06, 2015 12:17 pm
blue lagoon wrote:City Slicker wrote:I dont think anyone could reasonably say we had any particular talent in Malky's side apart from David Marshall. Work ethic and team spirit in abundance cerrainly but it was the main reason we failed in the Premier. Malky didn't replace enough second rate players.
Burnley and Leicester didnt make a lot of changes. But their fans stuck with their manager.
And where might these two clubs end up next season?
Re: " Connolly speaks out about Cardiff City/Plus "
Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:37 pm
Any good player will want to leave City and can u blame them.
Re: "Watford more talented than the teams I won promotion wi
Tue Apr 07, 2015 2:15 pm
wez1927 wrote:Headline Should read "I live near Watford and please can you buy me in the summer ! "
Spot on