‘I believe in the gaffer’

Sidney Schmeltz admits boss Lee Johnson has been “sharp” with him since his move to Boundary Park, but the Dutchman is willing to learn.

DROPPED for the last league game and with his boss constantly on his case, Sidney Schmeltz could be forgiven for starting to doubt whether he made the right move to join Athletic.

Instead, the 24-year-old winger from Nieuwegein couldn’t be happier. This weekend he gets the weekend off with his girlfriend and baby daughter - and is thankful for boss’s Lee Johnson’s help and advice, no matter how strongly-worded.

The tricky former Sparta Rotterdam and Veendam flier admits he is still in an educational experience.

“It is difficult as it is a new system for me,” said Schmeltz. “I am trying to learn and not everything will go right.

“The gaffer is really sharp with me, because I have to learn it. He brought me in and wants me to succeed and I want to succeed as well. It is sometimes a little bit harsh but it is good. I need it.”

“I believe in Johnson and trust him and he gives me the confidence I need. That is why I jumped on the plane and came here.

“This is the perfect football country and the gaffer was honest with me. I needed a good person like that and he is a good human being as well.”

The optimistic Schmeltz gives his absolute assurance to fans that a dramatic change in fortunes will arrive to push the team up the table.

“It is amazing if you look at how our fans support us,” he added. “Fans are emotional so if you play a bad match it is their right to be a little critical.

“I think a lot of times we have played well but not been rewarded and that is why they have still been coming. I hope they still believe in us. Because we are going to get a lot of wins soon. I believe this for sure. I didn’t come here to lose.”