James Connolly

Great move for James Connolly. Straight into Rovers' starting XI against Posh today.

Big opportunity for him, this, with three Cardiff centre backs out of contract this summer.

Captained Cardiff's all-conquering under-23s this season. Let's hope he backs that form up

An 8/10 on debut for James Connolly from the local media in his player ratings today.

Not a bad first day in his new job for Bristol Rovers, it seems, despite the defeat!

James Connolly - 8

A baptism of fire against the electric Szmodics and Siriki Dembele, but the 20-year-old stood tall on his senior debut. There were some early nervous moments as he lost track of runners, but he was composed on the ball and made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Szmodics a clinching goal.

The player ratings as Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-1 by Peterborough United and knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round
By Sam Frost

Cardiff City loanee James Connolly made an impressive debut, growing into the game and making a superb goal-saving tackle.

Former Bluebird Sion Spence was also on the field and put in a goid performance before being replaced.


James Belshaw - 8

Luca Hoole - 8

James Connolly - 8

A baptism of fire against the electric Szmodics and Siriki Dembele, but the 20-year-old stood tall on his senior debut. There were some early nervous moments as he lost track of runners, but he was composed on the ball and made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Szmodics a clinching goal.

Nick Anderton - 8

Trevor Clarke - 7

Paul Coutts (c) - 8

Zain Westbrooke - 7

Luke Thomas - 8

Antony Evans - 7

Sion Spence - 7

Curled a lovely ball in behind the defence to release Evans for the penalty incident, but his influence faded and he was taken off in the second half.

Sam Nicholson - 7


Substitutes

Ryan Jones (for Clarke on 63') - 6

Brett Pitman (for Spence on 69') - 6

Max Edwards-Stryjewski (for Thomas on 90+3') - NA

Not used: Jed Ward, Pablo Martinez, Jerry Lawrence, Lucas Vaughan, Malik Sesay.

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Great move for James Connolly. Straight into Rovers' starting XI against Posh today.

Big opportunity for him, this, with three Cardiff centre backs out of contract this summer.

Captained Cardiff's all-conquering under-23s this season. Let's hope he backs that form up

Wont he be out of contract in June as well, thought he only signed a 1 year contract last June

I went to the game at London Rd.

He was OK, not an 8 out of 10. Didn't really do anything to make me worry, but then again wasn't stand out.

I went to the game at London Rd.

He was OK, not an 8 out of 10. Didn't really do anything to make me worry, but then again wasn't stand out.

I went to the game at London Rd.

He was OK, not an 8 out of 10. Didn't really do anything to make me worry, but then again wasn't stand out.

Seemed to get universal praise for his 'no nonsense' debut but hey, why look for a positive where City, it's management or players are concerned

All Tan's fault, of course, Wez...

I went to the game at London Rd.

He was OK, not an 8 out of 10. Didn't really do anything to make me worry, but then again wasn't stand out.

Just wondering what required your 'lol' reply??

What? You don't think I was there, or you dont think an assessment of an OK debut is positive enough.

How about, 'I was there and done was amazing' does that fit the bill? Or would you rather I was honest?

I went to the game at London Rd.

He was OK, not an 8 out of 10. Didn't really do anything to make me worry, but then again wasn't stand out.

Seemed to get universal praise for his 'no nonsense' debut but hey, why look for a positive where City, it's management or players are concerned

All Tan's fault, of course, Wez...

As I said, It was an OK debut, definately not stand out, but didn't look calamatous. If he is our strength in depth, then he doesn't improve our squad, and much better strike forces than Peterboroughs much maligned spearhead will give him far sterner tests.

I went to the game at London Rd.

He was OK, not an 8 out of 10. Didn't really do anything to make me worry, but then again wasn't stand out.

Just wondering what required your 'lol' reply??

What? You don't think I was there, or you dont think an assessment of an OK debut is positive enough.

How about, 'I was there and done was amazing' does that fit the bill? Or would you rather I was honest?

I'll happily answer for him.

You're a miserable tw*t so it's hard to take anything you say objectively.

Fair enough. If you say so.

Disappointing really, because anyone who knows me knows I'm not miserable, and knows I just want the best for my club.

Fair enough. If you say so.

Disappointing really, because anyone who knows me knows I'm not miserable, and knows I just want the best for my club.

Ok I was a tad harsh but you rarely give a positive or balanced view in your posts!

Yes, I'll accept that to a degree, but the club give me nothing to be positive about ( my opinion).

As for a balanced view, I simply push my preference strongly, sometimes overly. It's a bit like a political opinion, people tend to like one party and loathe the other.

My voice will do nothing, so all I can do is rant on this MB which is set up to voice opinion, of which there are many, and I like to think I respect all, if not agree.