TIMI Elsnik has cut a composed figure in the centre of the park for Swindon Town since his arrival on deadline day and the Slovenian ace knows just where to attribute the credit for such a solid start.

A late August arrival alongside Derby County colleague Kellan Gordon, the 19 year old has been ever-present in David Flitcroft’s line-up since, adapting with relish to the rigours of League Two football rather than the age-group fare he was used to.

As a promising teenager pitched into a rapidly-rebuilt squad under the guidance of a new manager, few could have expected Elsnik to fit so seamlessly into Flitcroft’s plans, but the youngster, capped at U17, U18 and U19 level by his country, believes the influence of teammates and coaching staff is key.

“I’m enjoying it and definitely settling in well,’’ he said. “The group of lads is amazing, the coaching staff, everything is working fine.

“I’m finding it good to be involved playing games, that’s why I came here to help the team.’’

Partnering James Dunne in the centre of midfield, Elsnik has impressed in his five appearances to date, not a bad achievement considering he has yet to make a senior appearance for his parent club.

“It’s more physical, that’s the main bit,” he said of League Two.

“In the U23s, it’s more technical and nice to watch. Here, you play for results and you play for points so it doesn’t matter how you get the win as long as you get it.

“In U23s, for some players their goal is to break into the first team or get a new contract, something like that. It could be that some of them are going to be playing for themselves.

“Here, everything is for the team, for the better of everyone.’’

He added: “The gaffer is asking for me to be composed in midfield, to connect the play, second balls, win them and then go forward from there and manage the game really. I’m the kind of player who likes the ball at my feet so I like the way he (Flitcroft) wants me to play.

“Me and Dunney have a very important part in defence as well, sitting in front of the back four you can’t let them break us because then they are on our back four.

“He (Dunne) is very vocal and he’s like a leader on the pitch. He’s going to tell everyone where to move and it helps you as a player to have someone like that.’’

A fresh-faced League Two performer he may be, but Elsnik is in no doubt over the ambitions of his temporary employers.

“When they told me about the loan to Swindon, they said ‘top side, they’re going to be aiming for promotion’, and I think with the talent we have it’s a realistic goal,’’ he added.

“We’re aiming to get performances right and I think we’re on a good run (with) three wins out of four. Every game is winnable here and we’re just going to go for three points every single time.’’