Martin Kelly

[Leo No.8]

Ahead of all the other kids at the club, I see proper star quality in this kid - a future England international in the making. I've not felt a young player at Liverpool would be so likely to really make it at the highest level since Owen and Gerrard.

 

Technically, mentally and physically he has everything he needs. He's a fairly big lad but atheltic and quick.

 

Obviously his oustanding attacking play in the 2nd half caught the eye, but there was a point in the 1st half when their left winger went clear and he had to turn about 3 times but still managed to block the cross - it was an oustanding piece of recovery play from having looked like he was completely beaten.

 

He looks to have a cool head as well, he's been called on for two key matches for the club and played oustandingly well in each of them. Only kids with proper star potential tend to settle so quickly, make the transition and look like they haven't made such a big step. He can use both feet comfortably, and put in one excellent ball with his left in the 2nd half which could have led to a goal.

 

Just hope he can stay injury free, if so he should be properly part of the 1st team squad this season.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Leo No.8

[richwilks]

Ahead of all the other kids at the club, I see proper star quality in this kid - a future England international in the making. I've not felt a young player at Liverpool would be so likely to really make it at the highest level since Owen and Gerrard.

 

Technically, mentally and physically he has everything he needs. He's a fairly big lad but atheltic and quick.

 

Obviously his oustanding attacking play in the 2nd half caught the eye, but there was a point in the 1st half when their left winger went clear and he had to turn about 3 times but still managed to block the cross - it was an oustanding piece of recovery play from having looked like he was completely beaten.

 

He looks to have a cool head as well, he's been called on for two key matches for the club and played oustandingly well in each of them. Only kids with proper star potential tend to settle so quickly, make the transition and look like they haven't made such a big step. He can use both feet comfortably, and put in one excellent ball with his left in the 2nd half which could have led to a goal.

 

Just hope he can stay injury free, if so he should be properly part of the 1st team squad this season.

 

Yep, proper player and should be first choice cover for Johnson. He's a better defender than Johnson is.

[carrafan]

Just hope he can stay injury free, if so he should be properly part of the 1st team squad this season.

 

Thats all there is to it, isnt it? If he can stay injury free, Martin has possibly saved us millions of pounds in transfer fees and over the top wages.. can cover two or three positions, counts as a homegrown player, big lad and hugely talented.

 

Anyone know whether his back injuries were one offs or is future recurrence a genuine possibility?

Edited July 30, 2010 by carrafan

[Epic Swindle]

I'm still unsure of what his best position is or will be.

[Bailo]

His crossing is superb, really is.

[McBain]

He's a better defender than Johnson is.

 

He looks good, but i dont see how any conclusions, especially of the type above, can be made on such little first team action

Edited July 30, 2010 by Mcbain

[dorgie]

On LFC TV last night, John Aldridge said he reminded him of a young John O' Shea (Aldo meant it as a compliment)

[Conor]

He's the real deal as well.. At half time Roy berated him on the pitch about his positional work. He clearly took it on board cause in the second half he did not put a foot wrong. And I mean not a foot. He supported at the exactly the right moments, defended well and clearly set up the second goal. That shows a real footballing brain and a determination to impress. HUGE attributes in kids looking to make it in to a top team like us.

[CarraLegend]

He's very good, which made the pursuit of wheelie bins like Luke Young all the more baffling. Him and Johnson is fine, if both get injured then we'll sort something out but f*** another old c*** clogging up the wage bill.

[richwilks]

He's very good, which made the pursuit of wheelie bins like Luke Young all the more baffling. Him and Johnson is fine, if both get injured then we'll sort something out but f*** another old c*** clogging up the wage bill.

 

Worst case Carra and Darby can do a job there. Pointless bringing in a 31 year old clogger on £47,000 a week when Kelly has such ability.

[aka Dus]

Hope he has more tricks in his bag than push the ball past the oppo player and leg it after it.

 

Let's see how he goes.

[Keita]

He's very good, which made the pursuit of wheelie bins like Luke Young all the more baffling. Him and Johnson is fine, if both get injured then we'll sort something out but f*** another old c*** clogging up the wage bill.

 

This, but my fear is Hodgson is a man all about experience, and he will rather add a Young, Poulsen etc to the squad.

[JRC]

Hope he has more tricks in his bag than push the ball past the oppo player and leg it after it.

 

Let's see how he goes.

It's a reasonable 'trick' to start with - for a Full-Back.

 

I know they (Full Backs) are, or have been going to be for a few years, the new dynamos of positive and progressive tactics, but give me a youngster who shows great defensive tenacity and solidity, and has sufficient skill, confidence and knowledge to join up with the attack in a thoughtful, considered and intelligent way, (and can clearly cross a ball); that works for me.

[Leo No.8]

He's very good, which made the pursuit of wheelie bins like Luke Young all the more baffling. Him and Johnson is fine, if both get injured then we'll sort something out but f*** another old c*** clogging up the wage bill.

 

Take Kelly's injury record out and we'd be mad to go for Young, but it has to be a consideration. Young's wages are ridiculous though for a player of his type and level.

 

In hindsight and watching him last night I'd be happy to take the chance on Kelly now, looking at his potential its worth the gamble.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Rory Fitzgerald]

On LFC TV last night, John Aldridge said he reminded him of a young John O' Shea (Aldo meant it as a compliment)

 

, but seriouslyu, I'd tend to agree. O'Shea was hugely promising when he broke into the Utd team and their physical attributes are similar in terms of size, build and athleticism. From his appearances for the first team, he appears to be settled and not out of place like O'Shea was - lets just hope he doesnt turn out to be as mediocre.

[Leo No.8]

It's a reasonable 'trick' to start with - for a Full-Back.

 

I know they (Full Backs) are, or have been going to be for a few years, the new dynamos of positive and progressive tactics, but give me a youngster who shows great defensive tenacity and solidity, and has sufficient skill, confidence and knowledge to join up with the attack in a thoughtful, considered and intelligent way, (and can clearly cross a ball); that works for me.

 

Agree with this - its an even more reasonable trick for a centre half filling in at right back!

[Bailo]

Take Kelly's injury record out and we'd be mad to go for Young, but it has to be a consideration. Young's wages are ridiculous though for a player of his type and level.

 

In hindsight and watching him last night I'd be happy to take the chance on Kelly now, looking at his potential its worth the gamble.

That has got to be the quickest u-turn on a signing ever!

[Leo No.8]

That has got to be the quickest u-turn on a signing ever!

 

Watched Kelly last night and wondered why the f*ck I was ever happy for us to sign Young!

 

I was thinking safety first to be honest, I know he did OK there last season but the thought of Carra playing right back fills me with greater dread than Young playing there. But on reflection its a risk to stunt the develpment of a young lad who has the potential to be so good because he's had injury issues as well.

 

The potential reward from playing Kelly and giving him chances is too great to not take the chance.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Leo No.8

[richwilks]

Watched Kelly last night and wondered why the f*ck I was ever happy for us to sign Young!

 

I was thinking safety first to be honest, I know he did OK there last season but the thought of Carra playing right back fills me with greater dread than Young playing there. But on reflection its a risk to stunt the develpment of a young lad who has the potential to be so good because he's had injury issues as well.

 

The potential reward from playing Kelly and giving him chances is too great to not take the chance.

 

That's why I couldn't understand why people thought Young was a good move. It was just another obstacle to a hugely talented youngster.

 

If he hadn't have picked that injury up against Lyon last year I think he'd have got a good run of games at right back when Johnson was out.

[Zoob]

Kelly is supposedly more comfortable at centre back, yet he looks a far better full back than Darby

[richwilks]

Kelly is supposedly more comfortable at centre back, yet he looks a far better full back than Darby

 

He's got all the qualities to be a top full back.

[Earl Hafler]

Ahead of all the other kids at the club, I see proper star quality in this kid - a future England international in the making. I've not felt a young player at Liverpool would be so likely to really make it at the highest level since Owen and Gerrard.

 

Technically, mentally and physically he has everything he needs. He's a fairly big lad but atheltic and quick.

 

Obviously his oustanding attacking play in the 2nd half caught the eye, but there was a point in the 1st half when their left winger went clear and he had to turn about 3 times but still managed to block the cross - it was an oustanding piece of recovery play from having looked like he was completely beaten.

 

He looks to have a cool head as well, he's been called on for two key matches for the club and played oustandingly well in each of them. Only kids with proper star potential tend to settle so quickly, make the transition and look like they haven't made such a big step. He can use both feet comfortably, and put in one excellent ball with his left in the 2nd half which could have led to a goal.

 

Just hope he can stay injury free, if so he should be properly part of the 1st team squad this season.

 

 

I see a young Markus Babbel. f*** buying Luke Young.

[Bailo]

Madrid just pulled out of the Maicon deal, now looking at Kelly I hear.

[richwilks]

Madrid just pulled out of the Maicon deal, now looking at Kelly I hear.

 

Heard the same. Real offered £24m, Purslow rejected it telling them we want £8m.

[Bailo]

Heard the same. Real offered £24m, Purslow rejected it telling them we want £8m.

When he goes, at least his wages are off the transfer budget. However, we have to factor in Maicon's. Don't ask why, it's Purslow's Law.