Wilson earns pat on the back from Kelly

JAMES Wilson has formed an impressive centre-back pairing with Jonathan Burn. Matthew Chambers

DARREN Kelly has hailed centre-back James Wilson as the finest player in his position in the division.

Athletic’s manager offered the praise for the in-form 26-year-old after he played his part in a run of more than four hours of Sky Bet League One action without conceding a goal.

That solid sequence at the back has made up for a run of only two goals scored in those three matches.

And it leaves Athletic within reach of their finest start to a season in five years, should three points be picked up in the visit of Shrewsbury to SportsDirect.com Park tomorrow.

“In my opinion — granted I may be biased towards my own players — James Wilson is the best centre-back in League One,” said Kelly, who is hopeful that an impact injury to Liam Kelly’s knee won’t rule hi captain out of the game.

“He has helped Jonathan Burn along and they have worked extremely well together. It’s important that keeps going. If you don’t concede you don’t lose, games and that’s the first and foremost thing.”

Paul Dickov’s first season in charge in 2010-11 saw Athletic pick up early victories over Tranmere and Notts County and draws against Charlton and Yeovil.

This term Athletic haven’t quite hit their straps as an attacking force. But three points tomorrow would match the eight-point total gained in Dickov’s first campaign and push the club back into the play-off picture.

“I just want players to go out, play to their strengths and show what they can do,” Kelly added.

“We go into Shrewsbury with the same belief and desire that we can win the game. I have no doubt that whatever team we put out, we can go and get the three points.”

With Jake Cassidy missing the club continues to look for a replacement, though Kelly played down a loan swoop for Swansea’s James Demetriou earlier in the week.

Players may head out of the club before the transfer window shuts at 6pm on Tuesday, September 1.



DARREN Kelly and Athletic director Barry Owen are guests on a BBC Radio Manchester phone-in show on Monday, between 6pm and 7pm.