Success just a matter of time - boss

SHOP WINDOW . . . Mike Petrasso’s value has risen.

ATHLETIC are only three percentage points away from being as good as League One frontrunners Brentford, says manager Lee Johnson

Johnson has analysed statistics from matches during the 2013-14 season and says small only margins have been at play in hurting Athletic’s young charges.

He believes if he and his staff can improve the fully-fit squad’s level of decision-making, then pulling-up from 19th in the table is inevitable.

“I know the potential of this club,” said Johnson. “I want to be the one to fulfil it and believe that I will be.

“We need to find this extra three per cent through signings, improving our own, or with a couple of good youth players coming through. We are trying to fit the pieces into the jigsaw and we are getting there.”

Johnson believes there remains value in taking on further Premier League loan players, despite the failures of his Manchester City colleagues Ellis Plummer and Albert Rusnak to impress.

“We have good links and speak to Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, to Manchester United, Newcastle and Manchester City,” Johnson added.

“Because of the way we play, they are willing to let players come to us. The problem you get is agents who don’t want to devalue their player. Mike Petrasso’s value is up for QPR because of how he has fared here, and it goes to show what can be done.”





ATHLETIC winger Sidney Schmeltz has joined League One rivals Shrewsbury on loan until the end of the season.



Dutchman Schmeltz (24) has been in and out of the Athletic side since joining the club on a free transfer from FC Volendam in the summer.

He has started eight games, scoring once – against the Shrews – in September’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Greenhous Meadow which Athletic won 4-1.

Schmeltz goes straight into the Shrews’ squad for tomorrow’s trip to MK Dons.