Class of 2013 looking fine

TOP MARKS . . . Athletic captain Korey Smith gets an ‘A’ for his outstanding play and the example he sets to his team-mates.

AFTER the defeat to Walsall in Athletic’s second home match of the new season, Lee Johnson pleaded for patience.

“See where we are in 10 or 15 games’ time,” he told the Chronicle.

Now, after 17 fixtures, those passing judgment can’t be displeased. Athletic are 14th in the division, unbeaten at home since the opening month, on a run of four straight wins and still involved in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and FA Cup.

There is still the feeling this group ‘could do better’ and hit greater heights still.

Tonight we look at the current report card, focusing on the new players.


HOW THEY RATE
Jonson Clarke-Harris: Showed promise in pre-season, dipped as the real stuff started and has recently looked sharp again. A work in progress. Grade: C.

James Dayton: Took a while to get past a nasty rib injury which he sustained in Scotland last

season. Now playing with some swagger and effective with it. Grade: B.

Sidney Schmeltz: The Dutch winger has not managed to nail down a place in the side, starting once in the last nine fixtures. Potential not realised as yet. Grade: C-.

Korey Smith: The beating heart of the team and a player as comfortable on the ball as good as winning it back. Proven to be a class act at this level, but shouldn’t rest on his laurels. Grade: A.

Mark Oxley: On loan from Hull City, the goalkeeper has been impressive lately with sharp

shot-stopping. Command of his area needs work but is getting better. Grade: C.

Charlie MacDonald: It has been a frustrating, stop-start season for the experienced striker, though he has looked sharp when fit and ready to appear. Needs to steer clear of injury. Grade: B-.

Anton Rodgers: Still getting used to the rhythm of midfield battles in League One but has shown progress recently. Will find it tough to force his way past James Wesolowski and Smith. Grade: C.

Edijs Joksts: The Latvian defender is acclimatising to life in England and his manager has warned not to expect too much, too soon. Needs to improve communication skills on the pitch. Grade: D.

Adam Rooney: Arrived with a reputation for knowing the way to the back of a net, but hasn’t

managed to carry good form over a sustained period. Has finishing talent, but could do better. Grade: B-.

Joseph Mills: The hard-running loan left-back is no longer with Athletic, but could in theory return at the start of next year. Assertive and very reliable in both defence and attack. Grade: B+.

Danny Philliskirk: At last, enjoying a run of first-team matches and showing a surge of good form. Technically better than anyone in the squad and eight goals put him top of the class in striker terms. Grade: A-.

Matteo Lanzoni: Assured defender who looked the part at right-back before his hamstring setback. Has a contract until January and has shown himself worthy of an extension. Grade: C.

Albert Rusnak: The class scamp who returned to Manchester City with a flea in his ear after not fancying a run-out in Athletic’s reserves. Excluded after that. Grade: Fail.

Genseric Kusunga: Blotted his record with a red card for retaliation at Gillingham but what a prospect this defender is. Strong, quick, good in the air and on the deck and versatile. Grade: B+.

Paul Rachubka: Has only made two appearances for the club but did precious little wrong in either. For now, a well-regarded back-up for number one Oxley. Grade: C.

Mike Petrasso: Tough to go better than scoring on your debut and the 18-year-old winger has been identified as a player who can give Athletic thrust on the wing. Grade: C.