HE IS SICK OF PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE

' Frustrated Matt Connolly wants his chance to prove that he can be a top centre half for Cardiff City. '

By Steve Tucker

Sunday July 26th


Matt Connolly has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his future at Cardiff City, complaining he is consistently overlooked, dropped for no good reason and made to play out of position far too often.

The 27-year-old fans’ favourite said he has had enough and vowed to finally make the breakthrough at centre-half for the Bluebirds under current boss Russell Slade.

Connolly arrived in the Welsh capital from QPR three years ago, but despite impressing when given the chance has often found himself on the bench or a victim of his own versatility by being told to fill in at full-back.

He was shunted out on loan to Watford at the end of last season making six appearances for the Hornets and grabbing a goal as they were promoted to the Premier League.

Remarkably, it was Connolly’s fourth promotion to the top-flight with four different clubs in recent years, after successful runs with QPR, Reading and the Bluebirds themselves.

Connolly is modest about that record, simply stating: “For two of them I was on loan and the players did a terrific job before I arrived. I was just there for the finishing touches.”

But he is less reticent about his situation with the Bluebirds, pulling no punches when it comes to his feelings about the way he has been treated by successive Cardiff managers.

“I am a bit tired of that to be honest,” said Connolly. “Being pushed out to right-back, or told to do a job at left-back. I don’t see myself as a right-back, but obviously I can do a job there. Centre-back is where I want to play, I feel I’m overlooked a bit because of my size.

“I’m not Ben Turner or Sean Morrison, but I believe I have other qualities that cancel that out. If I play against big guys, I think I’m smarter, I can read the game so, of course I want to play centre-back and play as much as possible.

“As it is at the moment, somebody gets injured, I am in and people are saying, ‘Oh, he did a fantastic job.’ And then the next game I am out again.

“I’m versatile I suppose, so I’m seen as that kind of guy, but, for me, I just get on with my business. I turn up, I do the best I can, I do the job and give everything.

“However I play though, it’s not me that picks the team. You will have to speak to this manager and previous managers about that.

“In the end I try my hardest every game, if I’m playing I’m happy and if I’m on the bench obviously I’m not happy. My aim this season is just to try to play as many games as possible. That’s my aim every year. I will chase another promotion I guess. That’s always the aim.”

Connolly’s loan move to Watford last season, with that of striker Kenwyne Jones to Bournemouth, surprised many fans. Slade himself said it was for ‘non-footballing’ reasons.

But if supporters were perplexed, then that is nothing compared to Connolly himself, who was enjoying a day at the zoo when the news of his departure to Watford was broken to him.

“It was a massive surprise to me,” said Connolly. “Watford had been after me way through January. I spoke to the manager here and he said he wanted me to be at Cardiff. We were quite low down the table at the time and he obviously wanted to keep hold of what he had and make sure we were okay.

“It was strange. I was actually at London Zoo, I was there with my girlfriend and I just got a call and they said, ‘It’s done, you can go.’ It surprised me obviously because there were nine games to go. It was a surprise, but I understand why it was done.”

Connolly is looking to next season with the Bluebirds, barring any more surprise moves of course, and ironically his aim to install himself in the centre of the Cardiff defence might just have been made easier by recent events.

Turner will miss the start of the season following surgery on his ankle and Slade has potentially endured another big blow with injury to defensive lynchpin, Bruno Manga.

The Gabon international was stretchered off early on in the Bluebirds’ 1-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam during their preseason tour of Holland.

His knee injury will be scanned on Monday, but there are genuine fears Manga could be ruled out for at least the start of the new season as well.

Connolly though is not one to delight at other’s misfortune and said he had his fingers crossed Manga’s injury proves not to be too bad.

He said: “It is very concerning. Seeing that was not a good sight.

“We are just hoping it’s not too bad. Bruno is a great guy. I’m a big fan of the way he plays as well so I just hope he gets back as soon as possible.

“He needs to have the scan and things can be taken forward from there.”

I havent read all of the op but i think he's better than Turner if he's played atCB. Quicker on the turn, doesnt hoof it unless he has to. Manga and Connolly are my2 CB's of choice

Sounds like a proper guy. City fans always like a strong, no nonsense, heart on your sleeve centre half. Don Murray, Phil Dwyer, Jason Perry and I think he deserves a bit of credit and respect.

There appeared to be no leaders, no spirit in the team last year. Understandably to an extent with all the comings and goings, red this blue that, fans discontent. But watching the likes of Noone walking (literally around, disinterested) together with half a dozen others......when we need a bit of passion and commitment in the team.

Give the guy a chance.....

Play him! This is what I want to see if I'm hint, players passionately stating that they want to play and I have always liked him if I'm honest

A classic case of a player suffering because of his versatility, I have always rated Connolly as amongst the best defenders we have had here over the last 5 years, I really hope he gets a run at centre back and is given the opportunity to nail a place down. Unfortunately, he would be better partnering Manga and not Turner or Morrison

The report is spot on.
So many times I have watched Connolly put in a great performance only to be dropped for the following game. No wonder he's not happy. He's obviously a player that really wants to play & for me should be in way in front of Morrison.
Top player.

Manga and Connolly would be the ideal pair,or three at the back with Turner. With Fabio and John as wing backs, that could be interesting.

Yet another example of Slade's poor man mangement abilities.

Unusual for so many current players to speak out about their treatment - most usually wait until they leave but Connolly, Adeyemi, Kennedy, Guerra and Le Fondre have all complained about their treatment.

I just get the feeling that the dressing room is not a particularly happy place to be and that we still have a large number of disaffected players at the club.

We'll see soon enough I suppose.

Connolly is a complete centre back, he can defend, score goals, can actually run with the ball, pass... play him with manga!!

He's a quality championship player and if your going to get promoted you need players like him

He's a quality championship player and if your going to get promoted you need players like him

Absolutely agree.

How many promotions has he won? Must be loads - he's the anti Steven Caulker!

He is definitely replacing Bruno if he doesn't make the start of the season one of our best defenders in Connolly.

It's one area that we are very strong in and we can suffer injuries, has never let us down has a great attitude and will No doubt step up to it again.

Totally agree with him, he started last season at CB in top top form but then just got dropped.

For me him and Manga should be starting

Always impresses when he plays at centre back. I have him ahead of Morrison in the pecking order.

Agree with everything he said there. He should start alongside Manga. Much better on the ball than Morrison and Turner also

Don't think we'll see Manga and Connolly playing together under Slade.

Who's going to lump the ball forward aimlessly from the back with those two playing together?

The report is spot on.
So many times I have watched Connolly put in a great performance only to be dropped for the following game. No wonder he's not happy. He's obviously a player that really wants to play & for me should be in way in front of Morrison.
Top player.

Agree

Connolly deserves a chance of a RUN being picked (not just the token game to keep him happy). He will deliver imho if he is allowed to settle.