‘ James Connolly? ‘

Cardiff City defender James Connolly ( came through Blackburn’s Academy and was released 2yrs ago ) who is 21 yrs old this year is currently on loan at League 2 Bristol Rivers and has made 19 appearances for them.

Connolly will return to Cardiff this Summer.

Will Steve Morison want him in City’s first team squad??

Our local media once again are raving about one of our youngsters, they get carried away and the majority of the players then have to live up to that media hype and most of them then fail to be come a Championship player.

Our local media hyped up beyond 10 players before this season started, but actually only about 3 actually made it.


Connolly has never played for Cardiff’s first team, so it’s a massive, massive step.



Why? Because the jump from League 2 to Championship is massive beyond, so for me we need to calm it down and see how Connolly fairs in pre-season etc as he can’t now play in any of our remaining Championship games.


The only way of finding out for sure is by chucking him in at the deep end once again, but actually now would of been the time.

That happened at Bristol Rovers and he thrived, but it is League 2.

Time will tell if he gets the same opportunity at Cardiff. Clearly, there is a huge gulf between the levels, but Connolly has shown a strong level of natural talent, coupled with an ability to learn quickly. He's going to be a good centre-back for someone and it will be interesting to see what level he reaches in his career.


It would be brilliant for City and Connolly if he could make the grade next season???

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If Bristol Rovers go up be worth letting him stay there and see how he goes in League One

If Bristol Rovers go up be worth letting him stay there and see how he goes in League One

That would be perfect, leave him their for a few months.

Doing very well by all accounts with Bristol Rovers but obviously a huge difference between League Two and the Championship.

I expect Morison will have him back training with the rest of our squad for pre-season before sorting another loan move for him.

Bristol Rovers are 6th at the moment so, as said above, if they go up then maybe the most sensible thing to do would be to send him back there until January 2023. That would give us a better indicator of his progress.

I can see Flint and Morrison leaving in the summer so there is an opportunity for someone. But it appears that Denham is above Connolly in his development.

If we play the same system then I'd expect Ng, Nelson and Denham to be first choice. That's assuming we stick with three central defenders and/or don't bring in a loan in that position.

Doing very well by all accounts with Bristol Rovers but obviously a huge difference between League Two and the Championship.

I expect Morison will have him back training with the rest of our squad for pre-season before sorting another loan move for him.

Bristol Rovers are 6th at the moment so, as said above, if they go up then maybe the most sensible thing to do would be to send him back there until January 2023. That would give us a better indicator of his progress.

I can see Flint and Morrison leaving in the summer so there is an opportunity for someone. But it appears that Denham is above Connolly in his development.

If we play the same system then I'd expect Ng, Nelson and Denham to be first choice. That's assuming we stick with three central defenders and/or don't bring in a loan in that position.

McGuiness could be added to the list for centre backs too. Assuming both our wing backs go back, we’d need a RWB at least…preferably one who could play on the left too.

If Bristol Rovers go up be worth letting him stay there and see how he goes in League One

That would be perfect, leave him their for a few months.

Very tight in that Division for the play off spots - Agree or loan him out to Newport ...If they go Up

McGuiness going is he? Have him in a back 3 everyday

Doing very well by all accounts with Bristol Rovers but obviously a huge difference between League Two and the Championship.

I expect Morison will have him back training with the rest of our squad for pre-season before sorting another loan move for him.

Bristol Rovers are 6th at the moment so, as said above, if they go up then maybe the most sensible thing to do would be to send him back there until January 2023. That would give us a better indicator of his progress.

I can see Flint and Morrison leaving in the summer so there is an opportunity for someone. But it appears that Denham is above Connolly in his development.

If we play the same system then I'd expect Ng, Nelson and Denham to be first choice. That's assuming we stick with three central defenders and/or don't bring in a loan in that position.

McGuiness could be added to the list for centre backs too. Assuming both our wing backs go back, we’d need a RWB at least…preferably one who could play on the left too.

Of course, I was forgetting McGuinness for some reason.