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Is David Connolly, 34, better than Kevin Phillips, 38?


Giordano
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I'm thinking Connolly is better for us because his assists and link up play plus goals are an excellent combination in our set-up, but if they were both same age, I would have to say Phillips overall because he was and is the greater predatory goalscorer- and of course top premiership goalscorer 1999-2000...

 

That was a great goal Phillips he scored on Saturday, seems he cant stop scoring wherever he is except for last year in the EPL and he's at it again with 5 in 7 for Blackpool.

 

In a similar vein, is Phillips really still that good, or is it actually quite easy if you've got a bit of class (like both Connolly and Philips do have) to put the ball in the back of the net in the CCC? For instance I'm 100% certain that if David Connolly plays 30 games for Saints this year he will score at least 15 goals - but I don't think he would score 15 goals in 30 EPL games though.

 

Players like Raul, Klose and Del Piero show that classy forwards can still score at the highest levels. If Owen ever played more than 20 minutes every month i'm sure he'd score lots as well. Maybe 35 and playing upfront in the EPL is not a level too far for our David...

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Kevin Phillips is a ****, and the way he left us will never make me like the guy. That said I was surprised how good his hold up play was, when in a Saints shirt and there's no denying he's a fine player and a really good goalscorer. The difference between him and DC is basically down to injuries. At the moment they're pretty much on a par, but I can't see DC still knocking them in at Phippips rate in 4 years time.

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Form is temporary, class is permanent. It's a shame we never saw the best of Phillips. At the time, with an FA Cup final appearance under our belts, and with a spot in the UEFA cup to boot, I thought we were ready to push on, and Phillips's signing would have been a sign of that push. Sadly one thing led to another, and the FA Cup, and the signing of Phillips, proved to be a false dawn.

 

As for the Connolly/Phillips debate, I have to say I never expected to see Connolly playing regular football again, but wow if he hasn't seemingly put his injury troubles behind him. As an all rounder, Connolly is the better player, but Phillips is a goal scoring machine.

 

As an aside, I'm playing CM2003 atm, and Connolly (then at West Ham) is miles better than Phillips (who was with Saints). I sell Phillips as soon as I can (and Delgado and McCann, and I do my utmost to sign Connolly! (nigh on impossible)

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I admit I had written Connolly off about this time last season, he'd spent so much time out injured that I didn't think he would come back. I have to say though, i'm f*cking glad he's in the side now. His movement is fantastic and although he's not got electric pace, he can still finish from anywhere. He's the kind of striker that likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender, but he - unlike others who play in that role - isn't scared to get involved with the build-up to a move. We're lucky to have 2 strikers who can pass just as well as almost anyone in our midfield (aside from maybe Schneiderlin) because it means that we can move the ball so quickly when we're on the attack.

 

Oh, and his disallowed goal yesterday (which would have made it 5-1) was onside by at least a few yards, he was being played onside by Stephen Carr. Not sure if the flag went up for our other player (who was offside but not in the phase of play, not too sure of the ruling) but if it went up for Connolly it was definitely wrongly ruled offside.

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I got the impression (rightly or wrongly) that Phillips was a bit reluctant to come to Saints (?) and never really settled in, whereas David Connolly feels he owes us, as Saints perservered a long time, even when he wasn't properly fit and now we are getting a pay back in seeing one of the classiest players we've had in the last 10 years in full flow.

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Not really a comparison to make. Phillips has consistently proven himself to be a top striker at this level over the past 3 or 4 seasons and is still scoring regularly now. Connolly although a good player and glad he is fit at the moment hasn't really played regularly for 3 seasons.

 

In their prime Phillips played for England, scored 30 plus goals in one season playing for midtable team and scored goals regularly, he was/is a class act. At one point he was linked with moves to Arsenal. Connollys record and ability doesn't really come close.

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Not really a comparison to make. Phillips has consistently proven himself to be a top striker at this level over the past 3 or 4 seasons and is still scoring regularly now. Connolly although a good player and glad he is fit at the moment hasn't really played regularly for 3 seasons.

 

In their prime Phillips played for England, scored 30 plus goals in one season playing for midtable team and scored goals regularly, he was/is a class act. At one point he was linked with moves to Arsenal. Connollys record and ability doesn't really come close.

 

Connolly was also an international, for Eire. Its hard to judge because of Connolly's bad luck with injuries, who is to say that a fully fit Connolly wouldnt have banged in 30 goals in a season ? Whilst because of all the long lay offs his record may not come close I cant agree that he is behind Phillips on ability. Connolly is the cleverest forward I have seen in a Saints shirt for many a year.

 

I would take Connolly any day for his all round play.

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Connolly is quality but so is Phillips, its a tough one. Not sure who I'd have but I think Connolly is perfect for our team.

 

Connolly for me has been fantastic since he joined, his goal on his debut at Oldham was Brilliant. His link up play is superb. Just a shame he has suffered with injuries.

 

Phillips has consistently been a goal threat and is still a class act, I can see both having a good couple of more seasons if they remain fit.

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Not really a comparison to make. Phillips has consistently proven himself to be a top striker at this level over the past 3 or 4 seasons and is still scoring regularly now. Connolly although a good player and glad he is fit at the moment hasn't really played regularly for 3 seasons.

 

In their prime Phillips played for England, scored 30 plus goals in one season playing for midtable team and scored goals regularly, he was/is a class act. At one point he was linked with moves to Arsenal. Connollys record and ability doesn't really come close.

 

This, much as I love the job Connelly is doing for us. All those that are adamant that Connelly is better are being a bit disingenuous.

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Both class players but I wouldnt swap DC is in the form of his life looks really fit his movement & link up play are 1st class good finisher he is such a clever player withthe runs he makes & the way he reads the game.

 

DC is the perfect foil for lambo when Lambo wins the header DC is there to collect the ball it is like having a new player everybody had written him off & he is back playing very very well so DC for me

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As an aside, I'm playing CM2003 atm, and Connolly (then at West Ham) is miles better than Phillips (who was with Saints). I sell Phillips as soon as I can (and Delgado and McCann, and I do my utmost to sign Connolly! (nigh on impossible)

Don't bother, sign Oskarsson, Toledo, Roncatto, Braathan, Guarin and FWT. Combined will cost you less than Connolly and you'll win the Champions League ;)

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Both are still terrific footballers with excellent football brains. We will have to keep a very sharp watch on KP,when we play Blackpool.

As an asside we definately did not see the very best of KP when he was here.However why Redknapp played Ormerod ahead of him in our final premiership game against MU,only he knows.

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For me Connolly has been one of the main reasons why defences have been unable to cope with us. His movement off the ball is so quick and intelligent and he is always in position to accept a pass.

So I think he is a much better asset to the team than Phillips was when he was with us.

 

By the way do any other old timers think he bears a resemblance to George O'Brien, in appearance and the way he plays?

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Nothing to do with Phillips but an observation about DC. He was a class above evryone on Sunday. His one touches, his link up play, his movement was pure class. I spent fine minutes in the second half just watching him and no-one else. He has a premier league quality football brain. We need to keep him fit. I think he is crucial along with Fonte, Cork, Lallana and Lambert as to whether we go up this season.

 

Even my wife who knows very little about football and came along for her first Saints game, asked who the little guy was as he seemed to be involved in everything.

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For all his cleverness, link up play and fox in the box finishing, his gesture of support to the argyle fans last season still stands out. While our players were celebrating with our lot and the plymouth players had slunk off the pitch, he was the only one to go around their ends, clap and show some sympathy for what is a horrible, abject situation.

 

No theatrics; just a genuine touch of class. A serious man but in the best sense.

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For me Connolly has been one of the main reasons why defences have been unable to cope with us. His movement off the ball is so quick and intelligent and he is always in position to accept a pass.

So I think he is a much better asset to the team than Phillips was when he was with us.

 

By the way do any other old timers think he bears a resemblance to George O'Brien, in appearance and the way he plays?

 

 

It's a long time ago, but I was just thinking the same thing myself recently...!

 

George O'Brien was one of those easy-going types who always seemed " a bit lazy " (ala MLT) but always seemed capable of putting in shots from almost anywhere...long range, tap-in's with either foot and a pretty good record of penalties as well.

 

He was certainly about the same height!

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He was an international for the Republic of Ireland not Eire! Eire is the Irish for the whole Island and as stupid as it is the stupid place has two teams, neither called Eire.

 

On the Connolly front I'm amazed he's pulled it all together, I had him written off as someone who got a contract on past achievements, but he's impressed

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