' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:01 am
Cardiff City defender Matt Connolly: We've ALREADY shown we're a better Bluebirds team than last year
Monday 17 August 2015
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Connolly argues City's comeback draw at QPR wouldn't have been possible last season
Matt Connolly has claimed Cardiff City have already shown they’re a better side than last year – because they wouldn’t have been able to become comeback kings at Queens Park Rangers if they weren’t.
And the quadruple promotion winner says it should mean that they CAN look at the top six this time around.
Scott Malone’s eye-catching late strike at Loftus Road made it twice in as many games the Bluebirds have earned a draw in the closing stages having gone behind.
The left-back’s dipping volley came one week after Craig Noone’s long-ranger salvaged a point in the Championship opener against Fulham.
Cardiff will head to Blackburn on Tuesday hoping not to have to rely on a rocket to keep the early unbeaten momentum going, but defender Connolly says their ability to dig in and deliver says much about the greater spirit in Russell Slade’s squad this term.
And the man who has earned top-level promotion with four different clubs reckons it can prove a key difference when it comes to aims for the campaign.
The former QPR man admitted it was possibly the case Cardiff can find it easier than their weekend opponents one year on from their own drop out of the Premier League and added: “We lost some players last season and the new manager came in as well so we were in a bit of transition but you can see the improvement from last season to this season.
"I think we’d never have come back last season if we were 2-0 down so I think we’ve got to give credit to the manager and the players. We’ve got a good team spirit and we’re fighting for everything."
Connolly added: “It was a bit of a crazy game where the atmosphere was brilliant and although we were obviously disappointed to go two down, especially in the manner we did, the comeback was great and we’re pleased with the point.
“We want to fight for every point we can get and try to get high up the table. It’s such a tough league and so hard to call I wouldn’t want to put a target on us – we just want to fight for everything and give everything – but we’ve got to look towards the play-offs.
“I think any team if they go on a good run can make the play-offs so that will be our aim as well.”
Monday 17 August 2015
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Connolly argues City's comeback draw at QPR wouldn't have been possible last season
Matt Connolly has claimed Cardiff City have already shown they’re a better side than last year – because they wouldn’t have been able to become comeback kings at Queens Park Rangers if they weren’t.
And the quadruple promotion winner says it should mean that they CAN look at the top six this time around.
Scott Malone’s eye-catching late strike at Loftus Road made it twice in as many games the Bluebirds have earned a draw in the closing stages having gone behind.
The left-back’s dipping volley came one week after Craig Noone’s long-ranger salvaged a point in the Championship opener against Fulham.
Cardiff will head to Blackburn on Tuesday hoping not to have to rely on a rocket to keep the early unbeaten momentum going, but defender Connolly says their ability to dig in and deliver says much about the greater spirit in Russell Slade’s squad this term.
And the man who has earned top-level promotion with four different clubs reckons it can prove a key difference when it comes to aims for the campaign.
The former QPR man admitted it was possibly the case Cardiff can find it easier than their weekend opponents one year on from their own drop out of the Premier League and added: “We lost some players last season and the new manager came in as well so we were in a bit of transition but you can see the improvement from last season to this season.
"I think we’d never have come back last season if we were 2-0 down so I think we’ve got to give credit to the manager and the players. We’ve got a good team spirit and we’re fighting for everything."
Connolly added: “It was a bit of a crazy game where the atmosphere was brilliant and although we were obviously disappointed to go two down, especially in the manner we did, the comeback was great and we’re pleased with the point.
“We want to fight for every point we can get and try to get high up the table. It’s such a tough league and so hard to call I wouldn’t want to put a target on us – we just want to fight for everything and give everything – but we’ve got to look towards the play-offs.
“I think any team if they go on a good run can make the play-offs so that will be our aim as well.”
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:45 pm
Lost count of the number of times he has passed the ball straight to an opponent this season.
He thinks he is Franz Beckenbaur half the time.
Yes he is a good footballer but he is not always what you want in this league. Give me Turner and Manga or Morrison at CB any time in this division.
He thinks he is Franz Beckenbaur half the time.
Yes he is a good footballer but he is not always what you want in this league. Give me Turner and Manga or Morrison at CB any time in this division.
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:50 pm
He looked dodgy as f**k defending in Qpr!!
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:55 pm
Dodgy as he was on Saturday. You can't ignore the mans promotion record. One bad game does not mean he's the worst defender in the team. Morrison was at fault for both goals, handball or not, he lost his man twice. When manga is fit I think he should replace morrison before conolly.
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:59 pm
Yet more positivity from the camp. 
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:01 pm
He has the experience to be a big asset this season. 
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:25 pm
He will be the one for the axe when manga is fit.
Never really let us down.
Never really let us down.
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:20 am
Mr Shed wrote:Dodgy as he was on Saturday. You can't ignore the mans promotion record. One bad game does not mean he's the worst defender in the team. Morrison was at fault for both goals, handball or not, he lost his man twice. When manga is fit I think he should replace morrison before conolly.
No chance. Morrison > Connolly.
Re: ' MATT CONNOLLY '
Tue Aug 18, 2015 12:17 pm
connolly is a better option that morrison for me. But i dont think i'd pick either with everyone fully fit.