Royston Drenthe admits he’s been left disappointed by his displays this season but the midfielder has  warned rival AGL teams it’s only a matter of time before he shows his true potential for Bani Yas.

The Dutchman has struggled to make an impact since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer and is yet to score for the Sky Blues in 10 
appearances in all competitions.

But the 28-year-old has shown he is beginning to find his feet in the UAE and was one of Bani Yas’ key players in their 2-2 draw against Al Wahda on Saturday night.

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Former Feyenoord and Madrid midfielder Drenthe was involved in the play leading up to his side’s opener, before causing problems for Wahda’s defence in his preferred left-wing position.

It had echoes of his best form, more than eight years ago, when after being named Player of the Tournament in Netherlands’ triumph at the 2007 Under-21 European Championships he earned a glamour move to the Bernabeu.

“I think you will still see more things of me because I’ve still got it,” said Drenthe.

“The moment that I decide to stop playing football, I’ll be honest with myself that I don’t have it anymore. Still, I see it in training and in games that I have it so I have to prove it and that’s what people expect of me.

“I think I have played some good matches. I helped my team defensively and tried not to make many mistakes. I had a good game (against Al Wahda) and played some good passes and I was involved in the first goal. The most important thing is the club and we have to win games, that’s the most important thing. 

“I’ve been here and it’s been really stressful at times, trying to be fit and dealing with knocks. I had to train two times a day to make the muscles stronger so I’m really disappointed but now I want to help my team.”

Fellow summer arrivals Joaquin Larrivey and Mark Milligan bagged the goals for Bani Yas in their draw against the capital club and the ex-Netherlands international has been impressed by their qualities.

“Larrivey and Milligan are more than professional,” he added. “I can learn a lot from them whether it’s in games or training and that is very inspiring for everyone in the team.”

It’s been a topsy-turvy first-half of the season for Bani Yas. Luis Garcia’s men enjoyed a strong start and were unbeaten after six games. 

But they could only pick up five points from a possible 21, including a 1-0 victory over AFC Champions League finalists Al Ahli.

The Abu Dhabi outfit sit seventh in the league going into 2016, 17 points behind leaders Al Ain. 

While it will be a big ask to mount a title challenge, Drenthe feels fourth place is possible providing his team-mates stay focused.

“We started the season really well and we cannot forget that if we are not focused 100 per cent, the possibility is we can lose,” he said.

“If we focus 100 per cent we can beat any team in this league and I think we have proved that already.

“I think if we can change our mind and be more focused on some specific things, we can learn from everybody. 

“This is only half the season gone and we have to see where we are at the end of the season. Every player in this team has the capability to show what they can do.

“Fourth place is possible but football is a crazy world. Sometimes you play better than the opponent but can’t win the game because that little bit of luck isn’t with you. I don’t want to put too much pressure on anyone in this team but I think we can do it.”