Magnus Eikrem: Cup tie can be springboard to success

Media Wales.
Saturday 15th Feb 2014.

New Cardiff City signing Magnus Eikrem believes FA Cup success could just be the launchpad to the Bluebirds winning their Premier League survival fight.

The 23-year-old midfielder arrived last month from Dutch outfit Heerenveen, but had previously played under Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in their native Norway for Molde.

He also cut his teeth as a youngster at the club where the new Cardiff manager first made his name, Manchester United.

Eikrem is now looking to make his breakthrough at his new club with three Premier League appearances from the bench so far for Cardiff including almost an hour of action in Tuesday’s draw with Aston Villa after Jordon Mutch limped off injured.

Having started the Bluebirds last FA Cup clash at Bolton it looks like Eikrem will get a chance to show what he can do today against the Latics who currently hold the FA Cup, but were relegated from the Premier League in the process.

That is a fate Eikrem hopes the Bluebirds can avoid and he knows today’s clash is important not just for himself, but for the Bluebirds in general.



“We want to stay up. It will be difficult to win the cup, but we must take it one game at a time and try to get through to the next round and see where we are,” said Eikrem.

“You always want to win games. Of course winning games is good for confidence. It’s going to be tough though.

“Wigan are a good side and they won it last year and then they went down, but I think we have a good chance. I will take winning the cup and staying up.

“I’m settling in quite well at Cardiff. I got some game time recently against Aston Villa. It’s been great.

“It is a big step up, but I’m working hard in training every day to close the gap.

“I can only get better and better and hopefully I will get a chance against Wigan.

“It’s up to the manager if I play or not, but every time I get a chance I have to prove that I can play at this level. It is a massive step up from what I’ve been used to, but I will get there.

“I’m learning every day. There are many good players here. The Premier League is the best in the world.

“I played in England before it’s where I learned everything about the game so I know what it takes. I try not to think about surroundings. Just concentrate on the job I have to do.

“If we play like we did in the first-half against Villa, I’m sure the points will come and we will stay up. The first-half against Villa was very good.

“We have to make sure we have two of those halves in a game and then we will be fine. Our goalkeeper David Marshall made some great saves.

“We are lucky to have him. If we have that many chances in a game I’m sure the goals will come. We have to make sure we do the right things.

“Perhaps we need to stay after training and practice on our finishing.”



Eikrem was only in Holland for six months before jumping ship for Cardiff with the chance to hook up with Solskjaer again his main motivation.

Eikrem accepts that the pressure in the Premier League is a lot different from back in Noway, but he insists Solskjaer is still as calm and collected now as he was before.

Eikrem noted: “Ole is still as calm as he was at Molde. Just the same. He is very calm and assured.

“In Norway the pressure is not as great as here, but he’s very calm here. It’s tough times here, but Ole is just the same.”

The romance of the FA Cup of course is not confined merely to these shores.

The oldest knockout competition in the world is still big news right across the globe with Norway naturally not immune to its charms.

Eikrem admits the lure of Wembley and its famous arch is one that calls to all players irrespective of where they come from.

The midfielder had a taste of final day while at United, but he is looking for a return now and a chance to actually get out on the famous turf.

“In Norway the FA Cup is seen as the biggest you can win. It is very big,” added Eikrem.

“If we can go through next round it will be great because every player dreams of playing at Wembley. It would be unbelievable.

“It is my dream of course. I was at the cup final when Manchester United played Chelsea it is a great day for supporters and players.

“There is still a long way to go, but if we can do a job against Wigan then you never know.”

Has played OK so far against Wigan. Not as good as Dæhli, but ok

Clearly not

Ooooops!,,,,

Thought he did well today. Heavily involved in the few chances City created.

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Indeed I will. But if we lose tomorrow at least we've got Napoli to look forward to.......

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Indeed I will. But if we lose tomorrow at least we've got Napoli to look forward to.......

Not in the FA Cup you ain't.

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Not really expecting to beat Everton away though where as you flids really should be beating Wigwam at home with a 'strong' (apparently) team

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Indeed I will. But if we lose tomorrow at least we've got Napoli to look forward to.......

Not in the FA Cup you ain't.

We've still got more chance of winning it than you have, though!

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Indeed I will. But if we lose tomorrow at least we've got Napoli to look forward to.......

Not in the FA Cup you ain't.

We've still got more chance of winning it than you have, though!

Ha ha ha, I think we have as much chance as you do!!!!!

Ooooops!,,,,

Add to this thread tomorrow if Everton win?

Indeed I will. But if we lose tomorrow at least we've got Napoli to look forward to.......

Not in the FA Cup you ain't.

We've still got more chance of winning it than you have, though!

Ha ha ha, I think we have as much chance as you do!!!!!

Actually, no you don't!

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

.......as I presume you would have said when we played Manchester United at Old Trafford?

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

.......as I presume you would have said when we played Manchester United at Old Trafford?

Any other season yes, without Rooney and RVP and especially when they went down to ten men....

It was yours for the taking so no I wouldn't have.

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

.......as I presume you would have said when we played Manchester United at Old Trafford?

Any other season yes, without Rooney and RVP and especially when they went down to ten men....

It was yours for the taking so no I wouldn't have.

So Martinez has confided in you as to what his team will be tomorrow, has he? Is it going to be full strength, or will he rest some players? Perhaps he is going to put out a second side and concentrate on the league for Champions League football? Do tell! Also, how would you have known United were going to go down to ten men before the game? You really are making this up as you go along aren't you?

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

.......as I presume you would have said when we played Manchester United at Old Trafford?

Any other season yes, without Rooney and RVP and especially when they went down to ten men....

It was yours for the taking so no I wouldn't have.

So Martinez has confided in you as to what his team will be tomorrow, has he? Is it going to be full strength, or will he rest some players? Perhaps he is going to put out a second side and concentrate on the league for Champions League football? Do tell! Also, how would you have known United were going to go down to ten men before the game? You really are making this up as you go along aren't you?

WTF are you on about?
You beat the weakest Man U team in about 25 years. So what?
As for them going down to ten men, it was obvious from then on, that is all.
We lost today, and in all honestly, you have only come on here as rivals to piss-take...end of.
It don't happen on other teams sites, which is why I wanted the mods to delete post's by jacks.
Martinez has nowt to do with tomorrow, they are your bogey side.
Now fook orf back on a jerk site...please. I have to say please, as we are now softer than the mods.

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

.......as I presume you would have said when we played Manchester United at Old Trafford?

Any other season yes, without Rooney and RVP and especially when they went down to ten men....

It was yours for the taking so no I wouldn't have.

So Martinez has confided in you as to what his team will be tomorrow, has he? Is it going to be full strength, or will he rest some players? Perhaps he is going to put out a second side and concentrate on the league for Champions League football? Do tell! Also, how would you have known United were going to go down to ten men before the game? You really are making this up as you go along aren't you?

WTF are you on about?
You beat the weakest Man U team in about 25 years. So what?
As for them going down to ten men, it was obvious from then on, that is all.
We lost today, and in all honestly, you have only come on here as rivals to piss-take...end of.
It don't happen on other teams sites, which is why I wanted the mods to delete post's by jacks.
Martinez has nowt to do with tomorrow, they are your bogey side.
Now fook orf back on a jerk site...please. I have to say please, as we are now softer than the mods.

That'll be the same Man U team with the same players that won the league last year. The same team that you took the piss out of us for losing to 4-1 at home. I don't believe that you thought we would beat them in the cup. As for bogey teams, we'd never beaten Man U, never got a point or a goal at Stoke, so nothing is impossible! Again I would ask, if you want my posts deleted, then why the hell are you debating with me?

On Paper we don't, but in reality we have as much chance as winning it as you...

No, you're really not getting this are you? On paper you have no chance and in reality you have no chance BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT!!!!! We, on the other hand, have a chance on paper and in reality BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN! I agree that the situation may or may not be different this time tomorrow, but at the moment those are the facts

Yes, I am getting this, on paper you have no chance of winning.

.......as I presume you would have said when we played Manchester United at Old Trafford?

Any other season yes, without Rooney and RVP and especially when they went down to ten men....

It was yours for the taking so no I wouldn't have.

So Martinez has confided in you as to what his team will be tomorrow, has he? Is it going to be full strength, or will he rest some players? Perhaps he is going to put out a second side and concentrate on the league for Champions League football? Do tell! Also, how would you have known United were going to go down to ten men before the game? You really are making this up as you go along aren't you?

WTF are you on about?
You beat the weakest Man U team in about 25 years. So what?
As for them going down to ten men, it was obvious from then on, that is all.
We lost today, and in all honestly, you have only come on here as rivals to piss-take...end of.
It don't happen on other teams sites, which is why I wanted the mods to delete post's by jacks.
Martinez has nowt to do with tomorrow, they are your bogey side.
Now fook orf back on a jerk site...please. I have to say please, as we are now softer than the mods.

That'll be the same Man U team with the same players that won the league last year. The same team that you took the piss out of us for losing to 4-1 at home. I don't believe that you thought we would beat them in the cup. As for bogey teams, we'd never beaten Man U, never got a point or a goal at Stoke, so nothing is impossible! Again I would ask, if you want my posts deleted, then why the hell are you debating with me?

Debating with a jack? Talking down to more like.
FFS Even we drew with man Utd yet you're supposed to be light years ahead of us. (reality only 6 points.)
Now go and find a jack site......

Debating? Talking down to? Being schooled and educated by? However you want to dress it up you're doing exactly what you claim you want to put a stop to! You're nothing but a hypocrite! Boohoo mods, make these nasty Jacks go away! Boohoo mods, they're making me look silly! Pathetic! Grow a pair, Man up and just accept that you're in our shadow