Diamond role suits Kelly

Liam Kelly

CAPTAIN Liam Kelly is happy to get on with his job as a defensive shield as an Athletic side full of pace and flair in front of him continues to excel.

Hailed by his manager Lee Johnson as “absolutely superb” in the 4-1 midweek thrashing of Coventry, former Bristol City man Kelly came in for criticism from some quarters earlier in the season.

But the 24-year-old skipper has been dominant as the base of a diamond-shaped midfield as Athletic have played a dozen games unbeaten.

The goal now is to beat Bradford to make it four wins in a row at SportsDirect.com Park.

“I just try to go about my job quietly in front of the back four,” said Kelly, who arrived on a three-year deal on the day ex-captain Korey Smith moved to Ashton Gate.

“Everything is clicking. There is a fantastic squad here and a lot of competition for places. It’s hard enough getting in the team and all the players out there have been great.

“The diamond formation is something we changed to recently and it seems to be working well for us.

“With people like Mike Jones, James Dayton, Carl Winchester and Michael Tidser we have very good football players in midfield who are talented on the ball. Being able to adapt during a game adds to our strengths.”

Kelly expressed his satisfaction at Athletic’s four-goal show against Coventry, suggesting that the joint-biggest league win of Johnson’s reign had been coming for some time.

While admitting the season is still young, the former Kilmarnock midfielder also emphasised how the squad has bonded.

He added: “There is a good spirit in the camp and this is a fantastic squad of players on and off the pitch.
“There is no reason why we can’t be up there.”



TOMASZ Kuszczak, the free agent goalkeeper currently training with Athletic (see our interview elsewhere today), has been linked with a shock move to Bayern Munich.

Bayern are on the hunt for cover for first-choice Manuel Neuer and the ex-Manchester United keeper could fit the bill.