CAMEROON international Geremi is hoping to make a big impression on his home debut when Boro take on Fulham at the Riverside this Saturday. Although there were encouraging signs, by his own admission his performance at Southampton left room for improvement and he wants that to come sooner rather than later.
« Last Saturday was a bad day for me, » he says openly.
« The first half was not good and in the second half I looked to get more confidence. This is normal though, isn’t it?
« This was the first game, we have to get to know each other, we have to play more games together.
« I think next time will be very good. »
That next time is fast approaching, and Geremi adds: « We have to show that we mean business at home.
« We have to show the fans we want to play at home, we have to make the opposition know we are at home and we have to do all we can to play the game our way and to get three points.
« It is important to get three points at home. When you play at home your mind must be on getting the three points available. »
The 23-year-old midfielder, winner of 53 caps for his country, says playing in the Premier League was a different experience to his previous domestic outings with Real Madrid in Spain’s Primera Liga.
« The game is totally different. In Spain they play keep-ball. Here there are a lot of long balls played with more movement.
« The fans here are different to those in Spain also. We hope to give them much pleasure when we try to win the games here. »
Geremi is happy to be playing alongside another of Boro’s new boys, George Boateng, saying the Dutchman is helping him settle in.
« He can help me and he has already helped me, » he says.
« He has told me about the league here, how to play the game here. It’s important to have a player like him near you. »
