Connolly marks Wigan move with goals

Saturday, 14 January, 2017 40comments | Jump to most recent

Everton Under-23s defender Callum Connolly has moved to Wigan Athletic until the end of the season.

And the young defender wasted no time impressing his new club by scoring at the end of the first half of his debut for the Latics.

He added a second after half time, putting Wigan into a 2-0 lead.

Reader Comments (40)

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Dave Abrahams
1 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:14:07

Played today and scored Wigan's goal just before half time, Wigan lead 1-0.

Alan Bodell
2 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:23:42

Just got another Dave.

Dave Abrahams
3 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:26:38

Just seen that Alan, I wanted that scoop!!!!

Alan Bodell
4 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:35:23

Ha ha, sorry mate I nearly broke my laptop trying to beat you to it but it bodes well for the lad eh?

Frank Wade
5 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:35:39

Ah Alan and Dave, way too quick for me. Saw his name come up on Sky and wondered how I hadn't seen news of his loan and jumped in to ToffeeWeb for my Everton news.

I was lucky enough to see his debut v Southampton last season. Looks a good player. Hopefully he can progress.

Mick Davies
6 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:41:10

Have we got a 'striker' on our hands? Many top goalscorers started out at the back...

Frank Wade
7 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:50:08

Maybe Mick, remember Supermac, Malcolm MacDonald, started as a full back with Fulham.

Mick Davies
8 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:55:31

Yes Frank 'Supermac'... Gareth Bale is another, and our one-time target, Dion Dublin (who eventually went back to defence in his later years).

James Morgan
9 Posted 14/01/2017 at 16:56:37

Two goals on your debut on loan to win the game, not a bad way to endear yourself to the pie eaters!

Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 14/01/2017 at 17:34:35

I wonder if he played as a winger, which he has done for Everton, or as a left back? Still, if you score two goals on your debut, and away from home, it doesn't matter where you play.

Dave Williams
12 Posted 14/01/2017 at 18:08:57

Made up for the young man. Unlucky not to have played this season as he looked very decent last season and hopefully this will give him the confidence to push on.

Hope we have a debutant tomorrow who scores twice!!

Steavey Buckley
13 Posted 14/01/2017 at 18:13:15

Connolly scored 2 headed goals around the penalty spot. I hope to see this player next season getting game time in the Everton first team. Baines must be approaching or gone past his best.

Bill Watson
14 Posted 14/01/2017 at 18:36:40

Fred Pickering started out as a full back with Blackburn Rovers!

Andrew Keatley
15 Posted 14/01/2017 at 18:48:26

He seems to be a genuine goalscoring defender. He's popped up with regular goals over the last few years for the various youth sides, often headers.

Ajay Gopal
16 Posted 14/01/2017 at 18:56:48

Fingers crossed. God, please let this guy be our next superstar!

Alan Bodell
17 Posted 14/01/2017 at 19:16:57

Bill, Fred Pickering is just when I was allowed to go the game... him and Mike Trebilcock – that's our history mate and great days.

Charlie Lloyd
18 Posted 14/01/2017 at 19:19:09

This is a great move for the young lad. Great start too.

I'm sure he's predominantly a left back. Interesting that Wigan have/had Garbutt who plays the same position and has sunk like the titanic.

Hope Connolly kicks on, has a great 5 months and becomes understudy to Baines next season.

Barry Pearce
19 Posted 14/01/2017 at 20:00:11

Just so pleased, I know all the Unsworth team won't make the first team, but as I've said many times I really do think there are some real gems in our academy. Not just one or two but several.

Callum has scored quite a few headers, so this is no fluke. Really hopes this gives him the platform to go on to greater things with our great club.

Peter Laing
20 Posted 14/01/2017 at 21:14:22

Two headers – also looks to have filled out since his cameo performances in the team last season. Let's hope the lad gets a good run in the team for Wigan and he comes back stronger and wiser to challenge Baines next season.

Gavin Johnson
21 Posted 14/01/2017 at 21:50:40

I didn't know Connolly was a left-back. So he was played out of position when he made a couple of appearances at the end of last season?

Charlie Lloyd
22 Posted 14/01/2017 at 22:39:53

I've noticed him playing left-back. Today he was definitely right-back so the lad has a bit of versatility. Hope Koeman takes note.

From what I've seen, he has a real chance of making it.

Anthony Dwyer
23 Posted 14/01/2017 at 23:00:38

Good stuff ðŸ‘Œ

Kieran Kinsella
24 Posted 15/01/2017 at 00:41:46

The Sun (I know) have Koeman trying to ditch Browning and Jones. Seems a bit harsh on Browning as he's just back from injury.

Charlie Lloyd
25 Posted 15/01/2017 at 00:56:20

I honestly hope I'm wrong but I don't expect Browning to make the step up.

I wish him a decent career but reckon it's Championship at best.

I may take some flak for this but I'm prepared. I'm the same guy who wished Garbutt all the best but predicted little.

I'm not a total killjoy. Davies and Connolly – now there is the future.

Kieran Kinsella
27 Posted 15/01/2017 at 01:38:24

Charlie,

I'm not saying you're wrong I'm just surprised that -- if true -- Koeman is ready to ditch him without much of a chance given that Browning was in the first team before his serious injury.

Dan Egerton
28 Posted 15/01/2017 at 03:12:21

I thought Browning had a great game vs them other lot. On his debut in a derby, if I'm remembering correctly.

Jon Wyke
29 Posted 15/01/2017 at 08:16:23

I remember Callum playing for Crosby, Stuart, 10 years ago in his older brothers team. He looked a player then, good footballing brain. Hopefully he'll make it with Everton, he has good desire and determination.

Shane Corcoran
30 Posted 15/01/2017 at 09:23:15

Yeah, he played right-back last season didn't he?

John Crawley
32 Posted 15/01/2017 at 10:31:21

Connolly is naturally right-footed but, like all the academy players now, he's comfortable with either foot. He's played all along the defense for Unsworth but predominantly at left-back.

He's the most versatile defender we've got and he's got an eye for a goal. Hopefully next season, he's given a chance in the first team.

Gary Goodwin
33 Posted 15/01/2017 at 11:01:21

A Dutch newspaper is reporting that Koeman is interested in Jurich Carolina from PSV. He's 18, and can play at left back or in central defence. Hasn't made any first team appearances and has eighteen months left on his contract.

Dan Egerton
34 Posted 15/01/2017 at 11:51:11

So exciting to see all our youngsters excelling.

Peter Gorman
35 Posted 15/01/2017 at 16:14:28

Unfortunately, I am with Charlie, I don't think young Browning will have a future with us. The injury will prove too costly, he lost time to develop and other younger prospects will step in.

One of those is Connolly. He is definitely one of Unsy's crop who stands out for an exceptional attitude, along with Davies and Kenny (would say Ledson too but he is off playing first-team football).

Like Ledson, none or all of them could be playing league football elsewhere before long but one thing I'd bet on is that you'll be hearing more of them all in the future.

David Ellis
36 Posted 16/01/2017 at 05:00:33

Mick Lyons played as a forward from time to time in the '70s. Steve Watson also had a stint as a forward during an injury crisis under Walter Smith. Both scored goals.

Tommy Davis
37 Posted 16/01/2017 at 15:20:36

I can recall Jimmy Gabriel playing as an emergency centre forward from time to time too & remembering him scoring in a Derby match at Goodison, circa 1964 in a 3-1 win. For some reason (old age no doubt) I thought he scored two that day, but the results showed Roy Vernon grabbing a brace & Gabby the other one, it was some 50 odd years ago mind!

Any of the more mature fans recall that game by any chance, or a time when Gabby scored two goals in the same game?

Delighted for Callum to grab a brace on his debut. I will have to keep up with his loan spell, with what is a relegation looking team in Wigan unfortunately, perhaps he can help move them away from the dreaded drop!

Does anyone know what is happening with Luke Garbutt? Has he been sent back to EFC, or is he injured?!?

Dave Abrahams
38 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:31:23

Tommy (#37), sorry I can't recall that game. There was one game in Alan Ball's first season with us when he scored two in his first Derby and Sandy Brown came on as a sub, played upfront and scored the last goal in a 3-1.

win. Sandy played in a shirt that had no number on it.

Patrick Murphy
39 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:45:49

Tommy (#37),

From my own records I can only find one occasion that Gabby scored twice in the same match. That happened at Goodison against Spurs in October 1965, Jimmy scored a penalty in the opening minute and scored later in the game; Fred Pickering got the other Everton goal and Alan Mullery scored the consolation goal for Spurs.

Spurs 1965

Kieran Kinsella
40 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:58:00

Tommy,

Garbutt is injured. I don't know if he's played much lately but he was on the bench earlier in the season.

Kieran Kinsella
41 Posted 16/01/2017 at 17:00:33

Wikipedia says he's played 8 times and his loan ends this month.

Ian Brandes
42 Posted 18/01/2017 at 00:09:03

I have mates who are Wigan fans. They said the lad was fantastic.

Hopefully, this is another youngster for the future!

Alexander Murphy
43 Posted 20/01/2017 at 17:32:18

Something distinctly encouraging happening with our next generation.

Sheedy and Unsworth. Both cult characters in their day.

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