James McConnell Player Thread (M)

This lad is something F***ing special.

Looked so composed out there, not fazed by the occasion at all. Imagine he will start against Southampton.

Promising signs but not gonna go overboard on him or Clark just yet.

https://x.com/megwadaniel/status/1761878542525034969?s=46

Promising signs but not gonna go overboard on him or Clark just yet.

McConnell does seem to have something about him that I’ve not personally seen in Clark. Thought he was brilliant when he came on yesterday in such a high pressure environment he was composed and at one point, everything was going through him.

Promising signs but not gonna go overboard on him or Clark just yet.

Bobby is more of an attacking midfielder

https://x.com/skyfootball/status/1762068122482130985?s=46

Amongst the youngest who play last night I personally like this boy the most.

McConnell does seem to have something about him that I’ve not personally seen in Clark. Thought he was brilliant when he came on yesterday in such a high pressure environment he was composed and at one point, everything was going through him.

His calmness in possession maybe? Not afraid to show for the ball? These 2 things alone are a good starting point for any young midfielder.

Once we see him reach that sample size in number of games to the likes of Bradley/Quansah, we'll have a clearer idea of his potential. I suspect next season he and Clark will follow the likes of Bradley/Quansah is heading out on loan for some invaluable experience.

Thought he was excellent last night.

https://x.com/megwadaniel/status/1761878542525034969?s=46

Indeed - thought that was special.

https://x.com/empireofthekop/status/1884878494003269920?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw

Looks like he has played his way into staying around instead of going on loan

A tidy if not spectacular player. Solid operator. Can hold his head up high, didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

We should be looking at 40-50m for him, Morton and Endo in the summer.

A tidy if not spectacular player. Solid operator. Can hold his head up high, didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

We should be looking at 40-50m for him, Morton and Endo in the summer.

Why would you be looking to sell him?

A tidy if not spectacular player. Solid operator. Can hold his head up high, didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

We should be looking at 40-50m for him, Morton and Endo in the summer.

Why would the club sell McConnell ?

Why would you be looking to sell him?

He's not a player that is going to get many minutes in the Prem/CL, there was nothing at stake last night so there's no harm.

Bring in another player like Grav.....maybe someone more defensively minded who Arne can play 30-40 games a season.

We need to always be looking to raise funds. Last summer it was Sepp, Fabio and Clarke. This summer Endo, Morton, maybe Kelleher/Bajcetic/McConnell too.

Would keep hold of this lad if I am honest think players like Morton probably need to go but think this lad deserves more chances to prove what he can do with the big boys and let's not forget how impressive he was in the cup.final when he came on

Looking at the likes of McConnell and Morton, they both look tidy players yet seem to really lack a bit of physicality and pace. Two of the most important ingredients for midfield in this league unless you have insane skills.

He's not a player that is going to get many minutes in the Prem/CL, there was nothing at stake last night so there's no harm.

Bring in another player like Grav.....maybe someone more defensively minded who Arne can play 30-40 games a season.

We need to always be looking to raise funds. Last summer it was Sepp, Fabio and Clarke. This summer Endo, Morton, maybe Kelleher/Bajcetic/McConnell too.

The club sold the players in the summer because they wanted to leave - it’s not about raising funds

He is 20 years old and adds depth to the squad - the depth that people say we need

He has the ability to develop into someone to rotate or back up Grav

And also fills one of the much needed HG spots

Why the F**k would you be selling McConnell? That would be incredibly stupid. You want your young players to become good enough for the first team. He can bulk up, look at what Trent looked like when he broke into the first team, he was skinny as a rail. The footballing brain and the skills are what you need and he appears to have both. Would like to see him get some more time with the first team to see what he's really got.

Maybe my eyesights totally fooked but im not sure id class mcconnell on the light side especially at his age

5'11 and a bit over 11 stone from what i can see. Could do with adding a few pound but that will happen as he develops

There are a minority of fans who appear to want players to develop into world class starting 11 superstars within 6 months of making their debut.

McConnell is joining Quansah as the next players to irritate inpatient fans.

I like what I've seen of McConnell. A tidy player who appears to have the ability to create himself a bit of space in midfield. I'd prefer to keep him in the squad, start giving him more minutes and see how he develops.

There are a minority of fans who appear to want players to develop into world class starting 11 superstars within 6 months of making their debut.

McConnell is joining Quansah as the next players to irritate inpatient fans.

I like what I've seen of McConnell. A tidy player who appears to have the ability to create himself a bit of space in midfield. I'd prefer to keep him in the squad, start giving him more minutes and see how he develops.

That's the standard though, if you want to be a first teamer at Liverpool. It's very tough.

That's the standard though, if you want to be a first teamer at Liverpool. It's very tough.

That's just it.

A Liverpool assembled squad needs to be consisted of players who are equal, or as close to in quality as can be to the first team. Not a crop of 13-14 core players and then "the rest" who fall short of the required level that the only time you see them is either in cup games or dead rubbers.

We're not going to wait around until these guys turn 24-25 before making a final decision. This is the standard, you have this amount of time to reach it and impress. If you can't, there's the door.

I think he's done OK. We have to bear in mind what he and the other youngsters are being asked to do is no more than play a part in some relatively low risk cup games to gain experience, learn from some of the more senior players and hopefully get a result.

 They aren't all going to be ready made replacements nor need they be. The key thing is they put in a shift and show the right attitude, and that worked pretty (darn) well for us in the Carling cup last year.

If any of them happen to make it as a 1st team regular that's a fantastic bonus as the odds are always going to be stacked against them. All variations in between are possible.

Could do with adding a few pound

He can borrow a few pounds off me.

Last him a while

That's just it.

A Liverpool assembled squad needs to be consisted of players who are equal, or as close to in quality as can be to the first team. Not a crop of 13-14 core players and then "the rest" who fall short of the required level that the only time you see them is either in cup games or dead rubbers.

We're not going to wait around until these guys turn 24-25 before making a final decision. This is the standard, you have this amount of time to reach it and impress. If you can't, there's the door.

Of course the standard is high and some won't make it but if anyone is going to judge him, or any other young player, on 3 appearances then you're an idiot.

That's the standard though, if you want to be a first teamer at Liverpool. It's very tough.

Obviously we need to have as many world class players as possible*. But we are realistically never going to have a 23 man squad of world class players, probably not even a starting 11 of world class players.

We will always need a group of younger players coming through the youth teams and joining the 1st team squad. A few will develop into the next Stevie G or Trent, some will be valued squad players like Jones and Gomez. Most will not make it at Liverpool and will move to other clubs.

We can't just see young players as profitable commodities to be sold. We have to give them time to develop. It's important to have a good culture of collective success at the club from academy to 1st team.

I think Stevie G, Mo and many others world of class players took time to develop, they didn't just walk into the starting 11 as goal machines.

Back on topic, McConnell looks like a good option for the 1st team squad. Personally, if we are definitely selling Endo at the end of the season, I'd give McConnell a bit of time ahead of Endo to see how he gets on in premier league games.

*We could have a long discussion about the definition of world class.

Back on topic, McConnell looks like a good option for the 1st team squad. Personally, if we are definitely selling Endo at the end of the season, I'd give McConnell a bit of time ahead of Endo to see how he gets on in premier league games.

*We could have a long discussion about the definition of world class.

Agree with this. If Endo really isn't in the plans moving forward I'd be happy with this.

And your last sentence could be worth of an actual topic. 

Looking at the likes of McConnell and Morton, they both look tidy players yet seem to really lack a bit of physicality and pace. Two of the most important ingredients for midfield in this league unless you have insane skills.

McConnel has a year or two to build his physique. not sure about Morton though, I think the ship has sailed with him, at 22 he should be getting at least 10 appearances in the premier league.

That's the standard though, if you want to be a first teamer at Liverpool. It's very tough.

It's not though is it? It's just the expectation you're putting on the kid.

Agree with this. If Endo really isn't in the plans moving forward I'd be happy with this.

And your last sentence could be worth of an actual topic. 

Christ that will be some topic, don't forget to factor in "Elite"

https://x.com/empireofthekop/status/1886382288390291499?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw


Good choice 👍

https://x.com/empireofthekop/status/1886382288390291499?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw


Good choice 👍

Absolutely, he'll be a welcome addition on the bench should be be needed to be called upon...

Agree with this. If Endo really isn't in the plans moving forward I'd be happy with this.

And your last sentence could be worth of an actual topic. 

World class to me is a player that would get in any team in the world.