Martin Kelly really has forced his way into the team this year, and even taken the right back spot off the man starting there for england. his powerful runs and accurate crossing have added an extra dimension to our attacking play and he is solid
however we're already well stocked at rb, following the emergance of flannaghan, and ofcourse johnson(who imo opinion has looked excellent whilst playing fb either side under kenny and clarke)
I feel that we should consider playing Kelly at centrehalf next season, its is his natural position, and his pace would help in playing a high defensive line which would further enable kennys quick-tempo high pressing tactics. That said maybe another year or two at fullback would be better so he can get more experience before he eventually moves into the centre
any thoughts on his position next season?
Martin Kelly position next season
posted on 18/5/11
He should cover both position
posted on 18/5/11
I have thought about this quite a lot. For some reason I have doubts about playing him as a first choice centre half due to inexperience etc, however this season having seen how well he managed at right back and how well the other young guys have managed i wonder why I feel like that...too long under conservative managers perhaps...I think if we put him straight in at centre half he would shine and be pushing for an England squad place within the season i.e chris smalling...
posted on 18/5/11
I think he would be good at centre back and feel he'll b used there quite a bit. He has a big stong build so dont see any problems trying to handle physical presences like drogba, rooney etc. He also has pace to burn so he isnt gona get beat that way by quicker strikers.
I'd play him in there with carra the now. Carra is good at keeping people right. Obs Agger would be my 1st choice but im just assuming he'll get injured about 3 days before our 1st game of the season.
posted on 18/5/11
I think you're jumping the gun a little bit there. Kelly never took the right-back slot from Johnson. Johnson is one of the best right-backs in the league. When Johnson was injured Kelly came in a did a great job, upon Johnson coming back from injury and us not having a left-back available Johnson was slotted in at left-back and it worked well.
However Johnson is best on the right and offers a lot more the Kelly. In Kelly we have great backup at right-back and also the option to switch Johnson to the left if needed there. Next season I see Kelly as cover for right-back and potentially centre-back.
At the beginning of the season these were seen as problem areas but we now have three players who have performed well at right-back and two of which who have did a job at left-back with Robinson also doing well.
So I see us buying a left-back with our cover coming from Robinson or Johnson. I would like to see Kelly at centre-back as I have only seen him there at reserve level. Potentially he can cover there also, so in my opinion, unless we were to sell Agger, then we don't need another centre-back.
posted on 18/5/11
it depends on kenny really , he knows what the lad can do and what he can't do. personally id like to see him at center back, he is a very good on the ball and could be our new Danial Agger IF Danial can't stay fit next year.
posted on 18/5/11
I think we should do what we did with Carra,let him cover all the back line positions till he settles on the best one for him.
posted on 18/5/11
Johnson on the left is, for me, a failed experiment.
Defensively he has been (surprisingly?) sound but a hash going forward. Every time he gets past the defender and your expecting him to whip in a left footed cross he stops, puts the ball onto his right foot and wastes the occasion.
It seems he can shoot with his left but not cross with it.