We knew it would come right – Kelly

ATHLETIC team captain Liam Kelly is delighted the team’s hard work seems to be reaping rewards.

Summer capture Kelly (24) has played an integral role in Athletic’s engine room so far and he, like manager Lee Johnson, always felt an upturn in fortunes wasn’t far away.

With three straight wins and hopefully a fourth tomorrow at home against mid-table Gillingham, Kelly is pleased the team has built a platform.

The former MK Dons and Kilmarnock midfielder said: “It’s been a big turnaround. We never lacked confidence as a group, we just needed to maintain the faith, the supporters stuck with us and it’s come good now. The manager kept faith in us, and the hard work on the training ground is paying off.”

There is a buzz among Athletic players at present, but Kelly is convinced everyone will get a chance to shine: “It’s hard to change when you’re in a good run of form, but it’s quite a small squad and there’s a lot of games to come. Across the season everyone will get a chance to prove themselves.”

In leading scorer Jonathan Forte, Athletic have a stand-out player who has already shown his undoubted class this term with five goals in six appearances.

“Jonathan was part of a very successful squad at Southampton which achieved two promotions,” said Kelly. “Part of that has clearly rubbed off on him.”