AFC Bournemouth
From play-off disappointment to leading the Championship heading into the new year, 2021 has proven to be an unforgettable year for AFC Bournemouth.
Lloyd Kelly typifies that notion, having established himself to be a key member of Scott Parker’s team this season, regularly wearing the armband.
After a poor start to 2021 which saw the departure of Jason Tindall in the dugout, the Cherries finished last season strongly, reaching the FA Cup quarter-final for only the second time in their history and qualifying for the play-offs.
However, a narrow defeat to Brentford over two legs in the play-off semi-final ended hopes of promotion to the Premier League.
Kelly tells afcb.co.uk that it was important for the players to use the play-off disappointment to motivate themselves over the summer break.
“The end of last season was not great for all of us, for everyone involved at the club. We used the break to refresh ourselves, ready to go again.
“We didn’t really know going into the season what was going to happen in terms of the managerial position but as soon as everyone came back, we hit the ground running and that started from the first day of pre-season.”
Scott Parker was appointed head coach on June 28th and immediately got to work, putting the players on a rigorous pre-season schedule and Kelly has lauded his impact.
He gushes: “It’s been amazing working with him to be honest.
“As soon as he came in, he let everyone know what he wanted out of his players, what was needed in training and in games and what his playing philosophy was.
“Many things have changed in our playing style - the way we attack, the way we defend, but everyone has bought into his ideas, and you can see that everyone’s on the same direction and going with the gaffer.
Asked what it is about Parker that the players have bought into, Kelly reveals it’s the ‘mentality side of things’.
“Don’t get me wrong his playing philosophy, his ideas in and out of possession are exciting, but he wants us to be winners.
“Compared to last season, I think all of us are going into each game and doing what needs to be done to win the game and that mindset to win, that mindset to keep improving is down to the gaffer.”
That winning mentality really came to the fore at the start of the season, Parker’s side went 15 matches unbeaten, setting a new club record for best start to a season.
Kelly recalls that experience: “It was great for everyone. I think that period, although we were winning games, was a tough one as well as we knew going into each game that we had to keep improving and keep that same standard.
“While we dropped off a bit in November and December, the last two games show we’re back on track.”
One of the major positives from the season was the emergence of young talent in the first-team, the likes of Jaidon Anthony, Jordan Zemura, Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny cemented regular first-team appearances.
In total, the Cherries have given 131 appearances to academy graduates in 2021 and Kelly says their performances encapsulate the new mentality in the squad.
‘I think if you talked to the young boys before pre-season and said they’d have as many appearances as they have, I’m not sure they’d have believed you!
‘It’s testament to them and their mentality and that no matter who you are in this squad, the gaffer will give you that chance and the young boys in the team have taken it.”
On a personal sense, Kelly has become de facto captain when Steve Cook isn’t involved and admits he is grateful to Parker for the trust he’s placed in the centre-back.
Kelly reveals that he’s been working hard on his leadership qualities: “Last season I started to grow into that role and the gaffer has put his trust in me this season.
“After pre-season, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but he’s put that trust in me to keep wearing it and be a leader in the group. I know I’m not the only leader in the group, there’s other player on the pitch that command but it’s great for me to wear the armband.”
When asked to sum up 2021 for himself and the team, Kelly says that it’s been a ‘positive’ year and he’s looking forward to the upcoming year.
“The end of last season was disappointing but from then on, I’ve grown as a person, I’ve grown as a player, and I just want to keep that going into the New Year.”
“As a group, I don’t think much changes. We’ve got to keep that same winning mentality, that same drive, the same determination to improve.
“That’s how it has to be from now to the end of the season to get to where we want to be.”
