Kelly seeking defensive rock

Anthony Gerrard

THE hunt for a leader at the back dominates the agenda of Athletic’s manager Darren Kelly at this stage of the off-season.

With George Elokobi and Adam Lockwood both having left the club after choosing not to take deals on reduced terms, following on from the released Genseric Kusunga before them, only James Wilson and Timothee Dieng remain as senior centre-halves on the club’s books.

That leaves first-year professional George Edmundson as like-for-like back-up in the heart of the defence.

Kelly, who missed out in the hunt for York goalkeeper Michael Ingham as he opted to stay put and sign a fresh deal, is strong in the belief that building from a solid base is the way forward for 2015-16, in his first-ever stint as manager.

“We want to play an attacking style and that means that defensively, we need to be capable and astute,” said Kelly. “Identifying the right players to add the stability we are looking for is key.”

Anthony Gerrard, who was on loan at the club last season to good effect, embodies the sort of characteristics Kelly is aiming for.

However, that individual’s wage demands — he is thought to have earned a good salary at Huddersfield — might mean he is too costly to be a realistic prospect as a new permanent recruit.

“Anthony Gerrard is somebody I have looked at as the type of player that we need,” Kelly admitted.

“That one may come down to finances as he was on a very good deal at Huddersfield. I don’t know what his situation is as it stands, but he is on our list of targets.”

Kelly stressed, he already has the basis of a strong squad and would prefer to land players who are hungry over those simply seeking a large salary.

“I want what I believe is best for Oldham Athletic,” he added. “I am going for the right personnel who I believe will make a positive difference to our team.

“I am not really bothered what any other team does. I want players to be motivated by success and not money — although of course that plays a part as people need to look after families and pay bills.

“I emphasise, we have already got a lot of quality in the squad. We don’t need to go out and buy six players.

“We need to support what we have here, which is a lot of quality and energy.

“Money guarantees nothing. You have seen in recent times how teams have spent a lot and still been relegated.

“There are a lot of good targets we have identified.”