The midweek match against Preston North End marked the Sunderland striker’s full debut.
Although Aaron Connolly, a striker for Sunderland, acknowledged that he was not quite happy with his performance in Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with Preston North End, he has maintained that he can contribute significantly to the Black Cats this season.
Regis Le Bris gave the Irishman his first start in a red and white shirt at Deepdale, and he came dangerously close to scoring for his new team when North End custodian Freddie Woodman diverted a close-range first-half attempt wide of the near post.
Even though the Black Cats lost by two points for the second straight game, Connolly gave a reassuringly firm evaluation of his own development and Sunderland’s chances for the remainder of the season.
After the final whistle, he told the club’s in-house media team: “It was probably a fair result.” We never really got going the way we know we can, I believe. Listen, they have a lengthy history in the Championship and are a solid team. They are skilled at playing at home against teams, and although I think we occasionally gave them the advantage, it’s still a point. What counts are the points on the board. We obviously desired three, but perhaps that will materialise on Saturday.
“It’s clear that [his complete debut] didn’t go as planned. Although you always hope to score on your first start, the important thing is to go back out there since I haven’t started a Championship game in, I believe, ten or eleven months. After doing that, I feel like I can move forward. All I’m hoping for is more.
“I was never going to use the excuse that I didn’t have a pre-season because that’s not me, especially since it’s been six weeks. When I was scoring goals at Hull last year, I didn’t have one. The goals will come, I’m sure of it. I’m not going to push myself. My performance tonight was disappointing, but that’s just the nature of sport. All that important is that I know I can contribute and score goals in the 32 games that remain in this season. As I previously stated, the most important thing is to get points on the board.
“We want three points every week, but that won’t happen in the Championship,” he continued. That’s the reality. When you grind out results like this—away at QPR with 10 men, away at Preston when we’re not playing—you get promoted. Unbeaten runs are what get you promoted. We were aiming for six points after two games, but let’s play at home on Saturday.
“I adore this place. I think we play well together, and I can see myself succeeding this season and hopefully beyond. It’s a terrific group. I’m pleased with my initial start. As I mentioned, things didn’t go precisely as planned, but I’m confident that the plan I had in mind will be realised shortly.
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