Stephen Kelly

[NeilMcD]

Sacked prematurely too. Lots of good people and managers are sacked by stupid people.

[Stuttgart88]

I think the superficial comparison to Pleat is accurate: English, polite and articulate. I'd say though that there are few who are now unconvinced by Hodgson's credential's. Dion Fanning bracketed him as a Houllier / Roxburgh type UEFAcrat who makes a living from the conference circuit - the footballing equivalent of a senior civil servant. I think this is now shown to be unfair as the guy clearly understands football and how to organise a team. Ideal candidate for Irish manager job I thought, but am happy with the Trap regime's progress.

[Drumcondra 69er]

I admit I am probably a bit myopic as I just remember him being sacked by Blackburn. I wouldn't be too familiar with his successes further afield.

After qualifying them for Europe the previous season to boot. Sacked after a bad start and Blackburn went rapidlly downhill after that. He also took Inter to a UEFA Cup final, he was always a very good mamager.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Dion Fanning bracketed him as a Houllier / Roxburgh type UEFAcrat who makes a living from the conference circuit - the footballing equivalent of a senior civil servant. I think this is now shown to be unfair as the guy clearly understands football and how to organise a team. Ideal candidate for Irish manager job I thought, but am happy with the Trap regime's progress.

Dion Fanning wanted Hell Tel for the job which proves to me how clueless about football he actually is underneath his rhetoric.

[elroy]

Dion Fanning wanted Hell Tel for the job which proves to me how clueless about football he actually is underneath his rhetoric.

There is one reason that guy writes for that paper and it isnt because of his journalistic skills, ill leave you fill in the gaps yourself. Lets just say its akin to when Darren Ferguson played for united.

[Junior]

I posted this on another thread but I noticed he played LB for Fulham recently (think it was their Europa game). In light of the worries around Kilbane's performances of late, this could be an option?

He's named in the Irish squad but I notice he wasn't even on the bench for Fulham's game against Arsenal today?

[EastTerracer]

Stephen Kelly got a start in the Europa League tonight and seems to have been involved in a "what happened next" incident. The referee showed a red card to Hangeland but then Kelly tells the referee that he commited the foul - the referee acnowledged his mistake and sent Kelly off instead.

I met Kelly after the Montenegro game last week and he seemed like a thoroughly sound chap. He was very gracious and polite and was signing autographs for loads of kids (big and small) without any complaint. Seems like he displayed the same character in 'fessing up to the ref tonight.

[irishfan86]

Stephen Kelly got a start in the Europa League tonight and seems to have been involved in a "what happened next" incident. The referee showed a red card to Hangeland but then Kelly tells the referee that he commited the foul - the referee acnowledged his mistake and sent Kelly off instead.

I met Kelly after the Montenegro game last week and he seemed like a thoroughly sound chap. He was very gracious and polite and was signing autographs for loads of kids (big and small) without any complaint. Seems like he displayed the same character in 'fessing up to the ref tonight.

He never should have been sent off. Borderline penalty, but there was a man covering him, so that should have been that.

That said, I wasn't too impressed with his game today, but that is probably down to his lack of match practice.

[SkStu]

Stephen Kelly got a start in the Europa League tonight and seems to have been involved in a "what happened next" incident. The referee showed a red card to Hangeland but then Kelly tells the referee that he commited the foul - the referee acnowledged his mistake and sent Kelly off instead..

in fairness wouldnt he and his team have been better off if he had said nothing? Either way either him or Hangeland would have been sent off but they could have appealed Hangelands red card and ban on the basis of mistaken identity (usually successful) and im pretty sure they dont impose the card on the actual perpetrator...

[Junior]

in fairness wouldnt he and his team have been better off if he had said nothing? Either way either him or Hangeland would have been sent off but they could have appealed Hangelands red card and ban on the basis of mistaken identity (usually successful) and im pretty sure they dont impose the card on the actual perpetrator...

If they rescind one on the basis of mistaken identity then Im pretty sure they pass the red on to the correct player.

[BigmanCas]

He never should have been sent off. Borderline penalty, but there was a man covering him, so that should have been that.

That said, I wasn't too impressed with his game today, but that is probably down to his lack of match practice.


I would say it is more down to the fact that he is just NO good. Bottom line is he is just NO good.

[irishfan86]

I would say it is more down to the fact that he is just NO good. Bottom line is he is just NO good.

I disagree. I think he's a decent fullback, and was probably Birmingham's best defender in the season they were relegated.

Hasn't impressed me much since though, but as I say, I'll withhold judgement until he gets a run of games.

[Acornvilla]

well fulham have done well in pretty much every fixture he has played in

[BigmanCas]

I disagree. I think he's a decent fullback, and was probably Birmingham's best defender in the season they were relegated.

Hasn't impressed me much since though, but as I say, I'll withhold judgement until he gets a run of games.

He isn't. The season Birmingham were relegated he gave two penalties away in the first 6 weeks and if you study the archives you will see it should have been 5/6 penalties. He is sub standard. Remember home to Georgia in Feb? Oh and he was hounded out of Spurs aswell I might add!!
We'll never get a judgement from you so because I really can't see him get an extended run of games.

[Ozymandias]

He isn't. The season Birmingham were relegated he gave two penalties away in the first 6 weeks and if you study the archives you will see it should have been 5/6 penalties. He is sub standard. Remember home to Georgia in Feb? Oh and he was hounded out of Spurs aswell I might add!!
We'll never get a judgement from you so because I really can't see him get an extended run of games.

That is incorrect..every where he went on loan he impressed and each made offers to spurs...spurs then sold him as the manager sought a different option...he was in demand ...a bit different to being hounded out

[EastTerracer]

A first league start for Fulham today against Man. City. Always good to see any Irish lads playing first team football.

[Murfinator]

hounded out of spurs? what the?

He was starting regularly for them in their best season in recent memory, got a new contract at the end and bizarrely left as he was so ambitious he wasn't willing to be a rotation player for one of the top teams in the league.

He went to play a starring (at the age of 20/21) for a side that was sure to be promoted next season, they were and he had 2 great seasons for them.

Then he got injured and hasn't been at his sparkling best since then. But some of those criticisms are way off the mark.

[irishfan86]

I thought he looked pretty good against Man City playing at left-full on the weekend. Made some good runs forward especially.

Could be one to watch for that position (not proposing he slot in there for the playoffs). Hopefully he wins that battle for a starting position and keeps it at Fulham.

[Gonk1976]

I'm sorry but Stephen Kelly is an accident waiting to happen. Good luck to him as a versatile Championship standard pro but please don't let him near our back 4 again!

[fu1ham]

He won't displace Konchesky. What great form Duff is in though. one of the buys of the close season , for sure. Hope he's fit for 14/18 Nov.

[tricky_colour]

Finnan's name looks good on the teams sheet.

[endabob1]

hounded out of spurs? what the?

He was starting regularly for them in their best season in recent memory, got a new contract at the end and bizarrely left as he was so ambitious he wasn't willing to be a rotation player for one of the top teams in the league.

He went to play a starring (at the age of 20/21) for a side that was sure to be promoted next season, they were and he had 2 great seasons for them.

Then he got injured and hasn't been at his sparkling best since then. But some of those criticisms are way off the mark.

While "Hounded out" was a harsh turn of phrase, I think you have a rose tinted view of his time at WHL.
He was understudy to Paul Stalteri the season you're talking about, Stalteri played all but 5 EPL games for Spurs that season, & during the Summer they bought Chimbonda, Kelly was never more than a bit part squad player (I seen him play in the reserves a couple of times that season) and with Chimbonda & Stalteri ahead of him he was allowed leave.

[elroy]

Played the full game for Fulham tonight, reports on the bbc website not so flatering though im afraid.

[yapster]

S.Kelly is another dud I'm afraid...

[Uncle_Joe]

Paintsil picked up an injury during the game against Chelsea, and may be out for the season. It opens a door for Kelly to have a go, albeit at right back

[yapster]

Paintsil picked up an injury during the game against Chelsea, and may be out for the season. It opens a door for Kelly to have a go, albeit at right back


Now is his chance but I fear he won't be up for it :(

[Razors left peg]

another thread more positivity from our new friend

[yapster]

What do you want ,The Sound of Music or something....

[Razors left peg]

no mate just not someone whos tryin to set a new record for the most negative posts in a single day... never seen such an attention seeker in my life

[SkStu]

watching the Fulham Stoke game at the mo and it is fair to say that Kelly did have a poor game. Ive always had my doubts about him being international class. He'll do a job for us alright but im hoping Coleman can make the breakthrough soon.

[yapster]

He is good to have in the squad but I don't think he is good enough to hold down a place in the 1st team,not at this stage anyway. Seeing him play does not fill you with confidence,a trier and a grafter but his positional sense is not up to scratch and he never looks any way assured when he plays.

[elroy]

Pity he didnt stay at B'ham considering their form this season, from memory I think the reports of him there were reasonably good. In Kelly's defence, he hasnt played many games for Fulham, they now have a few injuries at the bank, Hangeland went off injured last night as well so hopefully he'll get a run of games to put in a few good performances.

[Stuttgart88]

With Pantsil out for the season I expect Kelly to get a lot more action. He needs it but I don't think Hodgson will tolerate consistent poor performance.

[yapster]

I hope he makes the best of it

[Uncle_Joe]

Kelly has been a starter for most of the europa games and has played well, but nothing outstanding. To be fair to him he does seem to pop up with a few assists. Both Konchesky and Paintsil are consistant performers who had made the full back positions their own at Fulham.I think Kelly was always going to be waiting for for his chance rather than forcing them out. Hopefully now he can take his chance.

[danonion]

Pity he didnt stay at B'ham considering their form this season, from memory I think the reports of him there were reasonably good. In Kelly's defence, he hasnt played many games for Fulham, they now have a few injuries at the bank, Hangeland went off injured last night as well so hopefully he'll get a run of games to put in a few good performances.

He has a better chance of dislodging Pantsil then he does Carr.

[Stuttgart88]

He has a better chance of dislodging Pantsil then he does Carr.Pantsil is out for the season - knee ligaments.

Carr has been great this year.

[Murfinator]

To think Carr retired from international duty twice and club duty once and here he is back again being one of the best fullbacks in the league in the first half of the season.

That moron Keegan released him from Newcastle claiming he wasn't up to the standard, funny looking at where Keegan and Newcastle are now relative to Carr. In the season Newcastle went down they were so short of fullbacks they needed to throw N'Zogbia, Duff and Ryan Taylor into that position just to desperately cover themselves, while at the same time the released Carr was getting Birmingham into the premiership.

[yapster]

For most players going to Newcastle is a death knell..

[dr_peepee]

To think Carr retired from international duty twice and club duty once and here he is back again being one of the best fullbacks in the league in the first half of the season.

That moron Keegan released him from Newcastle claiming he wasn't up to the standard, funny looking at where Keegan and Newcastle are now relative to Carr. In the season Newcastle went down they were so short of fullbacks they needed to throw N'Zogbia, Duff and Ryan Taylor into that position just to desperately cover themselves, while at the same time the released Carr was getting Birmingham into the premiership.

He wasn't up to the standard at the time though in fairness to Keegan (if he ever said that)... I don't know him but Carr strikes me as a bit of a strange fish personality wise. Looks like he lost interest in the game due to lack of fitness, then form (then subsequently the lack of interest shown in him when he left Newcastle). Good to read he's back on form though. Doubt he'll come out of retirement again though. He's most likely attribute the lack of international football as a factor in his good form at his age.

[elroy]

Played the full game against Blackpool yesterday. have only seen the highlight but seemed to do ok. Certainly wasnt at fault for either goal. With Koncheskey now gone, hopefully he can establish himself as a full back at Fulham. Considering our weaknesses at that area we could do with him stepping up to the mark.

[Sullivinho]

At left back too, if short term memory serves me. I've only seen the highlights too, but he seemed to be getting forward quite a bit and looked comfortable enough on the left.

[irishfan86]

He played at left back when Birmingham got relegated a couple of years ago (and in my view was their best defender that season).

Obviously they got relegated but I think he's always shown an ability to play that position adequately (certainly no worse than options we've tried in recent times).

As for his ability to get a run with Konchesky leaving, I don't think his situation has changed much because Fulham have purchased Mexican international left back Carlos Salcido to fill that void.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, Salcido will be first choice. Had a cracking World Cup that lad.

[mhuiscatron]

I saw Kelly playing for Fulham a few times last season. I was at the Blackpool game and I thought he was not great at left back. He failed to put in any decent crosses on the occasions that he did get forward, and started to get a bit of stick from the away supporters as a result. Now that Paintsil is having a nightmare, it would be great to see Kelly get a chance at right back, although Norn Iron's Chris Baird might get the nod there (having just signed a new contract).

[Stuttgart88]

Welcome to the forum. Live observations are much appreciated around these parts.

[geysir]

How do you pronounce that name though?
Will Whiskey do?

[rebelmusic]

Wouldn't it be wish-ca-tron?

[Charlie Darwin]

Just noticed: he's been preferred to Pantsil at right back with Salcido on the left. Great vote of confidence in him by Hughes.

[mhuiscatron]

Pronounce the "mhuisc" part as if it was in Irish (vwishk), then just add "atron". Like Robotron, Megatron etc...