Keeper Dean Kiely is crucial to West Brom says boss Tony Mowbray

Feb 17 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

TONY Mowbray believes Dean Kiely’s off-field influence can give Albion a significant chance of survival.

The 38-year-old recently signed a new one-year deal which will take him until the end of next season.

Kiely has more than 20-years’ experience in the game, not least a survival campaign with Portsmouth three seasons ago.

Mowbray believes the experienced goalkeeper is not only a crucial back-up to Scott Carson, but he also has the know-how to help behind the scenes.

“It’s important you have good honest, hard-working, sensible senior pros at your club – Dean Kiely falls into that category,” Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail.

“He’s been through the issues we’ve got at the moment before and I think his experience and his voice is very crucial to the team.

“I have total respect for all my players and it was Dean’s decision whether to stay or go.

“He could have let his contract expire and walk away to play somewhere.

‘‘I’m sure there would have been a host of other clubs wanting Dean Kiely.

“He played every game last year in the team that won