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Connolly: Skusey's Underrated But Not By Us
Tuesday, 21st Nov 2017 15:48

Town midfielder Cole Skuse may divide opinion among supporters but loanee Callum Connolly believes he is benefiting greatly from playing alongside him.

Connolly, who arrived from Everton just before the August transfer window deadline, has so far made five senior appearances — four starts and a substitute appearance — and has featured in midfield in the last two games against Preston and Hull that saw Mick McCarthy’s men collect four points.

Connolly, 20, said: “Cole’s a top lad and he’s been great with me ever since I arrived at Ipswich, both on and off the field. He speaks to me a lot and I listen — it can only be good for the team.

“I think he’s underrated by a lot of people but we rate him very highly here and that’s what matters.

“He might not always get the recognition he deserves from people outside the club, and maybe even at other clubs, but we know what he gives us and we’re glad to have him.

“He’s been here a few years and while I don’t know how many appearances he has made, I know he hasn’t missed many games.

“He is a well-respected professional and rightly so, and I’m pleased to have someone like him helping me to develop as a player.”

It isn’t only Skuse that has taken the young Merseysider under his wing and Connolly added: “Everyone has helped me settle in and not just the older, more experienced lads. Ipswich is a club that makes you feel like you are part of a family.

“We’re close as a team and a squad, and not just when it comes to games and we’re on the pitch together.

“I’ve been to the cinema and out for meals, that sort of thing, and at times I’ve gone with a few of the younger lads as well.

“When you build up a relationship as a group off the field it makes for a closer bond when you are out there as a team battling for points on match days.

“It all starts from the gaffer — he sets the tone and he deserves credit for the atmosphere he has created around the place.

“You only need to look at the celebrations when Jordan [Spence] scored the late equaliser at Hull for proof of what it means to us all.

“It wasn’t just the players, even the people on the bench were going crazy as well.”

The first time he faced the media after completing his loan switch Connolly joked about scrounging meals off colleagues because he was going to be so far from home and had previously been able to rely on his mother’s cooking, even during loan spells with Barnsley and Wigan.

But he has brushed up on his own cooking skills and was proud to admit: “I’ve been cooking for myself. Not anything fancy, mind you, just the standard stuff like salmon or chicken with pasta. That’s what you could call the footballer’s diet and I haven’t been eating much else to be honest.

“I actually feel pretty settled down here now but it’s a lot quieter in this area than what I was used to before.

“With it being such a long way from Liverpool I haven’t been home that much but when you’re playing and enjoying your football it doesn’t matter so much.

“I try to take everything in my stride really. My family would like to see every game but the distances involved make it very difficult for them, especially for midweek games.”


Photos: TWTD



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Smithy added 16:06 - Nov 21
Think the majority of people actually feel Skuse is an important member of the squad, it just depends who McCarthy pairs him with that seems to be the bigger problem.
9

Len_Brennan added 16:28 - Nov 21
I doubt he's underrated by anyone on this website to be honest.
Skuse is an ok footballer, but for his entire time here I can't help but have felt that the defence and his midfield partners would benefit greatly by having someone else in his place. There's been some decent games out of him from time to time, but the problem is he's neither one thing nor the other. A tough uncompromising defensive midfielder would provide cover for the centre halves & allow a more creative game around & in front of him, while his possession/retention/passing game isn't good enough to allow for the team to play through the centre either.
Getting Huws, Adeyemi & Bishop fit, along with the emergence of Downes & Nydam offers some hopes of a change into the future though.
3

Ipswichbusiness added 16:33 - Nov 21
With the central midfielders that Len Brennan mentions, plus Hyam, I would let Skuse go and sign Connolly on a permanent contract.
0

Rensham added 16:38 - Nov 21
He's the main problem with this ITFC team. Won't get anywhere playing this player. Should be the last name on the team sheet not the first.
-2

Warkys_Tash added 17:41 - Nov 21
He is a good mopping up player and makes some great last ditch tackles. However, top Defensive midfielders can also move the ball quickly out of defence and turn it into attack with great through balls. Skuse's first thought is to go sideways. Thats the difference.
2

whosroundisitanyway added 18:27 - Nov 21
Ray Wilkins had a very successful career and 84 England caps playing the ball sideways.
6

whosroundisitanyway added 18:31 - Nov 21
In fact it would seem that most of the current England midfield are being coached to pass the ball sideways or backwards!!
3

gosblue added 18:51 - Nov 21
I lost count of the number of times Skuse just happened to be in the right place at the right time against Hull. His distribution is getting better although he will never by a Jim Magilton.
4

OwainG1992 added 21:30 - Nov 21
Again people doom and gloom on Skuse. Honestly believe if didn't have him we'd have conceded more goals over the years for sure.
3

MattinLondon added 22:32 - Nov 21
Personally I think Skuse is an indication of how far we've slipped as a team that such an average player is now regarded as an important first team player.

But in fairness you can say the same for quite a few of Micks team.

I will say that as a person Skuse comes across as a decent articulate man and in this sense is the perfect role model for younger players.
1

braveblue added 09:05 - Nov 22
More PR garbage
-4

Lightningboy added 11:47 - Nov 22
By far the least dynamic,exciting,creative midfielder I can ever remember holding down a slot in the team..sooner he's gone the better.
0

jjhbruno added 12:55 - Nov 22
Comparing Cole Skuse to Butch Wilkins. Did Mick tell you that one?

1

baxter7 added 13:16 - Nov 22
Cant believe someone here comparing skuse to wilkins i must have been watching another ipswich town
1


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