Wolves' 'natural footballer' Connor Ronan stars for Portsmouth
Youngster Connor Ronan has been dubbed a 'natural footballer' by ex-Wolves assistant Joe Gallen after the pair linked up again at Portsmouth.
Ronan gave a man of the match display when making his league debut for Pompey on Saturday, playing 71 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe at Fratton Park.
It was his second appearance for the club after featuring in a 2-1 Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Chelsea U21s a few days earlier.
Gallen, who is working with head coach Kenny Jackett at Portsmouth, told the Portsmouth News: "He’s got a very good football brain and he’s a natural footballer.
"He’s very good technically with an excellent right foot which has a bit of a hammer in it.
"He has vision, can play a pass and put in a set-piece or cross.
"He can shoot and fancies himself as a goalscorer.
"Connor’s a natural footballer. He had a steady game against Chelsea but was better against Scunthorpe.
"I’m pleased he got (sponsor’s) man of the match and Brett Pitman didn’t for a change!"
Ronan began the Scunthorpe game in a central role before being moved to the left flank.
The Irishman's best position has been a source of debate for Molineux's coaches in the past few years – and now it's continuing at Fratton Park.
"We have this debate with Connor whether he’s a central position or a wide-position player," Gallen added.
"Since we’ve been here we’ve played a 4-4-1-1 really. At Wolves sometimes Connor would play as a number 10 and sometimes he’s played in a wide area.
"There’s always a bit of a dilemma where is best to get him on the ball.
"At Wolves we wondered whether he’d be a 10, a central midfielder or wide player. Is it going to be a 4-3-3, is it going to be a 4-4-1-1?
"There’s a difference between playing in a central or wide area. You need power to go past people out wide if you’re an offensive player.
"But you don’t need so much in the middle if your football can do the talking. You can pass it around people and let the ball run.
"You can be quick over two or three yards but, like Jamal Lowe in wide areas, you need more power.
"You need a bit more pace and power to stretch full-backs, take them on and cross it.
"But Connor did play for a bit on the left where he comes off the line and into the pocket. He can then have a shot, play a one-two and see the whole game."
