Kelly must start every game (1 Viewer)

[messiahrobins]

This will raise a few eyebrows but i think in all the years he has been here, we always look far better and more organised with Kelly in the team. He isnt flash, and never does anything spectacular, and to many would seem a very plodding dull player. However all top sides need such a player screening the defence, the best top level example i can think of who played at the highest level was Gilberto Silva for Brazil 20 or so years ago.
While fans say Kelly just plays like a crab with sideways 5 yard passes, those simple things are so important as it just can often calm things down and allow the team to get back into shape. Also positionally he is like a magnet, always knows where the ball may be in the second phase. The defence has alot more confidence with him there.
Obviously his experience is vital as well, as he has been there, seen it and done it so he must be a huge help to the younger players.
Everyone is salivating about a Torp-Sheaf combination, as am i as well, but Torp is still new at the club and joined us after a period of not playing as he was on holiday so to expect the best of Torp regularly in the next 10 games with so much pressure on the games as they come thick and fast is both unrealistic and unfair on him. A Kelly and Sheaf combination would be excellent. We would be very hard to break down, and id suggest whoever out of us Hull and Norwich in the next 10 games keeps the most clean sheets will get that 6th spot.

 

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[Speedies_Chips]

Agreed. Some people say he no longer fits with the way we play but he is a very calming influence in the team and keeps things simple. Yes, you wouldn’t play him all season as his fitness doesn’t permit that but he is back in the side at a very similar stage to when he came back in last season, and we know how that turned out.

 

[Paxman II]

Yep that's a bout right tbh. Play Kelly but only if Sheaf is in there. Eccles would be the Sacrifice. But with this back three like tonight then Eccles looks well suited to the right wingback role.

 

[SBT]

Did well tonight and had a role to play but will get battered by more mobile opposition.

 

[mmttww]

*don't just type 'PARKLIFE!'
*don't just type 'PARKLIFE!'
*don't just type 'PARKLIFE!'
*don't just type 'PARKLIFE!'

 

[Calista]

Eccles would be the Sacrifice.

I can just hear Christopher Lee saying that.

 

[messiahrobins]

Yep that's a bout right tbh. Play Kelly but only if Sheaf is in there. Eccles would be the Sacrifice. But with this back three like tonight then Eccles looks well suited to the right wingback role.

Eccles was brilliant in the RWB role away at Leicester and i felt we lost that game largely because he went off. Currently he looks better there than MVE

 

[long way home]

He simply is a very very good pro who knows his trade inside out. Been a brilliant signing for us who just goes about his job without fuss. Must be great for Robins to have him in that changing room. He still has a massive part to play and like last season when you need players to be calm in big games he is one we look at.

Fantastic pro and glad he stuck with us as im sure he could of took a different path last summer and in Jan.

 

[Deity]

Yep that's a bout right tbh. Play Kelly but only if Sheaf is in there. Eccles would be the Sacrifice. But with this back three like tonight then Eccles looks well suited to the right wingback role.

If Sheaf is fit then it’s Sheaf and Torp, not Kelly.

 

[fatso]

Solid pro and very useful squad player, but like Allen, won't get a game once we have a fully fit side.
Looks good against the likes of Maidstone and Rotherham though. (But so did Simms)

 

[M&B Stand]

When he came on at Blackburn away last season at 0-1 he completely dominated the midfield and dragged us back into it, best display since McAllister days.

 

[ptr]

Disagree. I think we need an experienced midfielder. One who is experienced in captaining a team towards a late play off push and eventually into the play off final.

….

Oh

 

[covboy9]

When sheaf doesn’t play we do need Kelly, he is better than lati in there, I think lati has been picked ahead of him because of Kelly’s fitness issues, he’s made of glass and is always carrying a niggle

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Which one of sheaf or torp would you play him instead of

 

[Martin180]

He has a role to play in the run in for sure but to suggest he plays every game based on performances against Maidstone and Rotherham is folly .

 

[harvey098]

What’s amazing about Kelly is he can be out for weeks and come straight back in, play the full 90 and look effortless.

He was one of the most important players at the back end of last season, I thought that was his swansong.. could he do it again?

 

[Hobo]

"People may say he plays like a crab sideways and backwards". Yes but he can pick a pass going forwards too. He spotted runs last night that Sheaf and Eccles have dithered on this season.

The thing is even with Sheaf and Eccles in the side, they both sit quite deep. Kelly can do what they do on his own.

He is great at finding a pocket of space for himself and yes he might go sideways and backwards, but is a first time ball and speed of the transfer and how he finds people in even more space. He has the ability to bypass and get behind the opponents press with his passing.

I have always found him a joy to watch (similar to Hogg at Huddersfield) and he rarely has to break sweat. If he had been more injury free with us I think he could have ended up at a top championship club or even Premier League. He looks after the ball and makes it look easy and that is class.

 

[harvey098]

I also find it strange that he isn’t more revered.. any player that has been with us from league 2 to the championship play off finals (and scored his pen) should be immortalised really… but I get the feeling he won’t be hugely remembered in years to come.

 

[SleepyGinger]

Sheaf and Torp should 100% be the midfield when both are fit

 

[skybluelee]

I also find it strange that he isn’t more revered.. any player that has been with us from league 2 to the championship play off finals (and scored his pen) should be immortalised really… but I get the feeling he won’t be hugely remembered in years to come.

I'd disagree with the last bit. He'll be fondly remembered for the part he has played in this 2nd Robins era, IMO as equally as Fadz, Godden (when he finally leaves), Dabo, Shipley, Doyle etc, they all played a huge part in the journey but then moved on due to age and/or because we outgrew them.

 

[djr8369]

What’s amazing about Kelly is he can be out for weeks and come straight back in, play the full 90 and look effortless.

This always amazes me. I can’t see why we haven’t used him more this season. I know he had a foot issue Robins mentioned so hopefully just that rather than being out of favour.

We always look more open without him as he reads the game so well and plugs the holes in midfield.

 

[harvey098]

I'd disagree with the last bit. He'll be fondly remembered for the part he has played in this 2nd Robins era, IMO as equally as Fadz, Godden (when he finally leaves), Dabo, Shipley, Doyle etc, they all played a huge part in the journey but then moved on due to age and/or because we outgrew them.

Actually, I guess we always have that photo. That’s what will be immortalised

 

[Deleted member 9744]

This always amazes me. I can’t see why we haven’t used him more this season. I know he had a foot issue Robins mentioned so hopefully just that rather than being out of favour.

We always look more open without him as he reads the game so well and plugs the holes in midfield.

I am pretty sure he hasn't played more because of the injury. He is much better than Latibeaudiere in midfield. Early in the season was the best player in some matches and was really steady last night.

 

[Dickie]

Kelly played a lot of through balls and decent forward passes last night didn’t he.

 

[Gibbo]

If Sheaf is fit then it’s Sheaf and Torp, not Kelly.

exactly this. Sometimes people seem to think we can play 12 or 13 players.

 

[Gibbo]

Actually, I guess we always have that photo. That’s what will be immortalised

or immoralized...

 

[Offhegoes]

I thought he was excellent last night, and has been since he came back into the team this time last season, including his early season performances
We look much more solid with Kelly there, none of these massive gaps in the middle of the park when teams counter on us. He surely has to start at Watford, with Sheaf still missing.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

This always amazes me. I can’t see why we haven’t used him more this season. I know he had a foot issue Robins mentioned so hopefully just that rather than being out of favour.

We always look more open without him as he reads the game so well and plugs the holes in midfield.

We were pretty open last night
He doesn’t have the pace he once had
Should he have played more - yep
Should he be first choice? No

 

[olderskyblue]

Kelly always gives an option for passes from defence, something we’ve missed since Sheaf has been out.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Until Sheaf is fit, Kelly could play a useful role in making us a bit more steady.

Watford will be more of a test - Rotherham is not a good barometer of things.

 

[Martin180]

Until Sheaf is fit, Kelly could play a useful role in making us a bit more steady.

Watford will be more of a test - Rotherham is not a good barometer of things.

Would worry about his mobility against the top sides like Leeds ,Southampton and others

 

[fernandopartridge]

He's good backup for when Sheaf isn't fit, but if Sheaf is fit Kelly is the one to make way I think.

 

[fernandopartridge]

"People may say he plays like a crab sideways and backwards". Yes but he can pick a pass going forwards too. He spotted runs last night that Sheaf and Eccles have dithered on this season.

The thing is even with Sheaf and Eccles in the side, they both sit quite deep. Kelly can do what they do on his own.

He is great at finding a pocket of space for himself and yes he might go sideways and backwards, but is a first time ball and speed of the transfer and how he finds people in even more space. He has the ability to bypass and get behind the opponents press with his passing.

I have always found him a joy to watch (similar to Hogg at Huddersfield) and he rarely has to break sweat. If he had been more injury free with us I think he could have ended up at a top championship club or even Premier League. He looks after the ball and makes it look easy and that is class.

He is similar to Hogg who I think Robins actually signed for Huddersfield

 

[Happy_Martian]

"People may say he plays like a crab sideways and backwards". Yes but he can pick a pass going forwards too. He spotted runs last night that Sheaf and Eccles have dithered on this season.

People said the same about Ray Wilkins but he's still revered as one of the best CMs in England.

 

[higgs]

Superb engine on him even in that heat at wembley he played every minute and still stuck away the penalty

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