Stats confirm Kelly’s importance

BATTLE: Liam Kelly (left) 1-1 draw.

STATISTICS confirm the impression that was evident in the defeat at Sheffield United last week — Liam Kelly’s absence from the pitch is a big loss foro Athletic.

Under five different managers, skipper Kelly (26) has played 75 times for the club across two seasons since joining the club in the same deal that took Korey Smith to Ashton Gate.

But his latest boss John Sheridan made the call to rest Kelly at Bramall Lane in order to save him from suspension. It was a decision that illustrates the influence of the former Kilmarnock player.

Kelly has missed 16 games over the past two campaigns. And in only two of those games has Athletic managed to win — having lost 10 times and drawn four.