http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/20140627-liamkelly-1696929.aspx http://www.bcfc.co.uk/error.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/news/article/20140627-koreysmith-1696904.aspx
I liked Kelly and thought he would be good for us, but the injury might of been too much. I don't know but was thinking he would be forcing his way back in to the team this year. Have to be honest Pack was impressing me towards the back end of the season. So I'm ok but thanks for thinking of me
Well I was eating my tea (which was lovely) checked twitter to see we have signed Smith unaware Kelly had gone the other way! So was a bit bitter sweet. Was really hoping this season we would see what we were expecting. The more I look at it though the better I see the 2 moves. We're getting a player who is experienced at this level, is still only 23 and hasn't had any bad injuries. Kelly goes the other way who has hardly any experience at league 1 and has had a serious injury so we don't know if he will be any good at keeping fit.... Hoping Smith is the Elliott of 2007/08!
'Have to be honest Pack was impressing me towards the back end of the season' I agree and now Marv's gone I think Pack's essential, although not sure Cotterill rates him. As for Kelly he didn't do it for me in the championship but thought he'd be decent in L1 but injury put paid to last season. Not sure who has the best of the deal - Us or Oldham. Only time will tell.
Sad to see Kelly go, but never really happened for him at AG (injury obviously a major factor) We have signed another player who is a leader Crikey even I am getting just a bit excited!!
I assume this came totally out of the blue as I have not seen anything on here about it. Shiny normally has his finger on the pulse on signings so this surprised me. We will never know how good Kelly could have been, he came in at a very difficult time and had little chance to impress and then injured pretty much all of last season. Still a surprising swap in my eyes, we shall see who got the best deal as the season progresses, I hope it's us!
Really gutted about Kelly but we have to trust the Managers judgement. He may know something we don't
A positive move methinks. I liked Kelly but his injury was a bad one and with Smith bringing some leadership qualities in next season is already looking to be a good one!
Yes I am shocked and disappointed. But Cotterill is on the ball, and running the club so I don't feel like its a decision made lightly (and I trust his judgement). Just that I have a sneaking feeling it will come back to bite us, Uruguay style
I have to say that I am absolutely gutted to see Kelly leave. I truly think he had the brightest future out of anyone at the club, and personally I thought he'd be playing Championship or Premier League football in a few years. He's a talent beyond his years.
I liked Kelly and I'm honestly sorry he has decided to leave, I also believe that Cott's knows the reasons for his decisions and I'll go with him but I hope we have put a sell on clause with Kelly, we'll get our money back or will LJ out guess us.. It's all his fault.
http://exiledrobin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/new-signing-korey-smith-oldham-fans-view.html Here's an interesting article - when the Oldham fan says "Hopefully Liam Kelly can help fill the void left by Smith’s departure" it makes you think we are getting someone decent. Will Marlon Pack play much?
The "best team" debate is just beginning and the blog from exiled robin just adds a bit more info. Well written as always, by the way. Smith is 6ft, more defensive than attacking? Much will depend on the team formation. In a back three of himself, Osborne, Williams in 3-5-2 Leaving Little, Wagstaff, Burns to compete for wide right midfield? And Cunningham, Bryan and maybe Freeman on the left? Or Smith as one of two central backs in 4-4-2/4-3-3? And with Freeman's ability to go past people, will he be more usefully employed in central attacking midfield? Or even alongside Baldock in a 3-5-1-1? Elliott will almost certainly be one of the first on the team sheet but where will Pack play if Smith is the holding midfielder? Where will Reid fit in? And if another striker arrives where will JET find himself? The most forward midfielder to support striker(s) or with Baldock? Interesting times ahead and we may not find the best personnel combination and team shape for quite some time.
I personally think next season we will see a 4-3-3. Little and Cunningham being the full backs, Osborne and Williams in the middle, Smith, Elliott and Freeman making up the midfield. Jet in the hole behind Baldock and our new striker. Smith won't play CB. He's a midfielder for a start....
He played two seasons for Norwich at right back! Some players are too good to be pigeon holed into one position. I'm not saying he will play centre back. Just thinking about all the options.