He might not being in the greatest run of form at the moment, but Fulham full back Stephen Kelly doesn’t regret joining the Whites from Birmingham City in the summer.
The Irish international is likely to be on the bench when his former side come to Craven Cottage for Sunday’s Premier League fixture having filled in for the ineligible Nicky Shorey against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday. Kelly admits the prospect of playing European football, which has done regularly for Fulham this season, was too good to turn down.
I don’t regret coming here. Birmingham have had a fantastic season but for me coming to Fulham and playing in Europe at a higher level was the next step up for me. You need to be testing yourself at the highest level, and for me that’s in Europe.
He says he’ll be in touch with former Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor before the kick-off tomorrow.
I get on well with all the lads and will give Maik Taylor a text before the game winding him up. You’re playing against your old team and you want to do well and get one over on them. I had a fantastic time there and they’ve done really well this season, but it would be nice to get a win against my old side.
Stephen Kelly is unfairly judged at the moment IMO.
Agreed he has not set the place alight. Under RH we play a system and SK has played his part, especially in Europe. Predominantly out of position. Despite a lot of stick he has never once hidden. On Thursday some around me (JH block CL) were giving him stick for playing to the system yet more obvious errors in poor passes (BH & DM to name two) were greeted with encouragement.
He is not a first 11 player but has proven that he has a place and the commitment to be a worthy member of the squad.
I agree that Kelly’s rather harshly treated. It looked as though he was badly at fault for the Shakhtar goal on Thursday but perhaps on reflection it was just a fine through ball from Ilsinho. His performances – out-of-position – in Europe have generally been excellent and he’s yet to have a lengthy spell in the side at right back. Not as bad as people make out for me.
The Shakhtar wingers were hugging the touchlines. If Kelly was anywhere near covering the through ball then there would have been a larger space for a less clever through ball. If anything the ball was just well executed and if anybody was close to its path it was Hughes, which would have put Hangerland next in line, befor Kelly.
He again made some telling tackles and clearances in the scond half. In terms of our system he reamains a worthy squad member.