Kelly

[roversdude]

Scored for Northern Ireland U21 in 5-0 win

[Usher wide.]

He’ll be a regular starter in Rovers midfield when he ‘comes back’. Apart from Bailey when played as a midfielder, no one else in the squad has his energy in that department which is what is needed to play Grants high pressing ‘all action’ play that was sadly missing in the first hour today against Crewe.

[Campsall rover]

He’ll be a regular starter in Rovers midfield when he ‘comes back’. Apart from Bailey when played as a midfielder, no one else in the squad has his energy in that department which is what is needed to play Grants high pressing ‘all action’ play that was sadly missing in the first hour today against Crewe.

Harry Clifton has that energy. Yesterday was just a bad day for him. He was outstanding at Grimsby and must have covered more miles than anyone else that day.

[Jersey Rover]

Those 2 central positions are key to our success. Against Crewe, although both Harry and George did ok, we need the higher energy,forward running that both PK and ZW offer. To be honest there is very little to choose between rest of he central midfielders in that forward thinking mould.

[Ryaldinhio]

He’ll be a regular starter in Rovers midfield when he ‘comes back’. Apart from Bailey when played as a midfielder, no one else in the squad has his energy in that department which is what is needed to play Grants high pressing ‘all action’ play that was sadly missing in the first hour today against Crewe.

Harry Clifton has that energy. Yesterday was just a bad day for him. He was outstanding at Grimsby and must have covered more miles than anyone else that day.

I was on about this with r old boy yesterday, Clifton didn't have a bad game as such IMO, he seemed largely ineffective because Crewe didn't have much of the ball for the first hour so the press wasn't needed much. Normally he is all over the pitch getting stuck in but it just wasn't required, then we invariably play it back and around and back and around until we can progress down one of the wings so a hard working CM yesterday was out of place.

[moses]

Watch the Crewe goal. Broadbent is just behind the scorer for about 10 yards. He didn’t look full of energy.

[pib]

I think that’s the issue with Broadbent. Seems OK on the ball when dropping deep and having lots of possession, but when players run at him or away from him he looks very slow and lethargic, which leaves the defence more exposed.

[GazLaz]

He’ll be a regular starter in Rovers midfield when he ‘comes back’. Apart from Bailey when played as a midfielder, no one else in the squad has his energy in that department which is what is needed to play Grants high pressing ‘all action’ play that was sadly missing in the first hour today against Crewe.

Harry Clifton has that energy. Yesterday was just a bad day for him. He was outstanding at Grimsby and must have covered more miles than anyone else that day.

It’s no good playing well once a month like Clifton has done. That’s not the sign of a good player. Consistency is what makes a good player.

[Cramby10]

Agreed on Clifton. His energy is to be applauded and can certainly be an asset. But he is average  on the ball. I know we can’t have it all as we’re in league 2 but we need more from him in possession.

[DonnyOsmond]

He's ideal against teams that want to play out, otherwise we need to play Hurst or Sbarra there.

[pib]

Have to say I’m surprised to see Clifton starting every week. Expected him to be a squad player.

His energy and athleticism is good but quality on the ball is lacking at times. That bit of the team probably needs a re-think. Partly state of the game but we had much more threat and quality in that area when Hurst and Sbarra were on.

[Alan Southstand]

I think, maybe, Kelly may well sort a few things in that midfield!

[danumdon]

Looks to me like GM is managing Kelly in a very structured manner, i don't think he's finished a game yet that he started. Is this to protect him or does he still have some growing to do, if so do we think we're getting a good deal here?

I'd like to think that a loanee in our squad should be as good or better than what we currently have on our books, if not then what's the point, we may as well blood our own players and try to develop them.

I agree he looks a prospect, i'd just like to see what he can do for us in a full on game situation because as things stand we lack this box to box player who has a bit more pace than our contracted players in the same role.

I don't think playing Broadbent and Bailey together in the central midfield works for us, its got to be  one from either with a player who has the attributes that we are currently missing.

In away matches i'd be inclined to have Clifton/Kelly alongside Bailey just so we have more energy and bite than what we witnessed yesterday, in our team setup these two don't have to be massive ball players, just competent as we don't play through the middle, instead getting it out to the wide men, If we need some extra creativity in the middle i'd play Sbarra in front of them.

They need to be able to protect the defence and have the strength and speed to get back and get between attacking players to break up the play, something we failed in yesterday with their goal.

Something our side badly lacks is pace, especially in the middle of the field, Broadbent, Bailey, Westbrooke, Close and Clifton to an extent all lack this ingredient, when we also have a defence who mostly are also very steady then this becomes very important for us.

[Pancho Regan]

Watch the Crewe goal. Broadbent is just behind the scorer for about 10 yards. He didn’t look full of energy.

Agreed.

I didn't notice this on the day but I've watched their goal back a few times now. I'm concerned that Broadbent lost ground on their guy and failed to get in any sort of challenge.
Not good, that.

[roversdude]

Bailey seemed the player losing ground unless they got in rather others way

[drfchound]

It was a very good and incisive run by their player, good feet and ball movement for a well taken goal.
If we had scored that one no one would be looking at reasons why a defender didn’t stop our player, we would be praising the scorer.
Sometimes it could just be very good play by an opponent rather than bad defending.
All goals are preventable with hindsight.

[Avsuptem]

It was a very good and incisive run by their player, good feet and ball movement for a well taken goal.
If we had scored that one no one would be looking at reasons why a defender didn’t stop our player, we would be praising the scorer.
Sometimes it could just be very good play by an opponent rather than bad defending.
All goals are preventable with hindsight.

I agree, that's exactly what it was but I can't help thinking that a little tug on the back of his shirt and a consequent book entry would would not have been a bad thing.

[drfchound]

It was a very good and incisive run by their player, good feet and ball movement for a well taken goal.
If we had scored that one no one would be looking at reasons why a defender didn’t stop our player, we would be praising the scorer.
Sometimes it could just be very good play by an opponent rather than bad defending.
All goals are preventable with hindsight.

I agree, that's exactly what it was but I can't help thinking that a little tug on the back of his shirt and a consequent book entry would would not have been a bad thing.

Absolutely, with hindsight yes it would have been.
But who knew how clever a run their player was going to make.
It was a superb goal and anyone would have been proud to have scored that one.