CITY STAR : IT WAS HARD TO ADAPT TO PREMIER LEAGUE

Walesonline

Friday April 25th 2014

Cardiff City’s South Korean star Kim Bo-Kyung admits this season has been a steep learning curve for him, but one he hopes is set to have a happy ending.

The 24-year-old forward-thinking midfielder was signed by former Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka back in July 2012.

But Kim has also proved a major player under new Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, starting a clutch of his side’s recent vital relegation tussles.

After plying his trade in his native South Korea and Japan, the move to the European game was always going to be tough for the midfielder.

And the step up to the Premier League from the Championship following promotion last summer even greater.

But Kim insists he has risen to the challenge and is now more confident at top-flight level.

“At the beginning of the season it was very hard to adapt to the Premier League for some of us who weren’t used to it, but with time we were able to do it,” said Kim.

“I’ve always tried to improve as a player and do my best when I’ve played. I’ve learned a lot from the players I’m playing with and the managers I’ve worked with.

“Before I moved to Cardiff I only had a chance to compete with European players at international level.

“Now I’m competing every single week with international and top European players. I’ve learned a lot from the matches this season.

“I’m very confident when I play in the Premier League now much more so than I was at the start of the season. My confidence has improved more than anything else this season.”

That confidence is going to come in handy for Kim this weekend as he and his team-mates face a massive relegation scrap up on Wearside at Sunderland.

Following a win away at Southampton and a draw at home last weekend against Stoke, the Bluebirds know three points in Sunday’s early kick-off could well see them move out of the three relegation places.

That would prove a massive boost for Cardiff who then face another tough trip to Newcastle and a final day clash in the Welsh capital with Chelsea to see out their campaign.

Despite an improvement in performances and results of late for Solskjaer and his men, the Bluebirds remain one of the favourites for the drop.

But Kim insists he and his Cardiff team-mates are not even thinking about an instant return to the Championship just yet.

“One thing for sure now is that we are not dwelling on the possibility of relegation,” added Kim.

“We believe. Everybody is aware of the situation we find ourselves in now, but our heads will not go down, the most important thing is to show up and put in a performance on the pitch.

“If the players and fans want to win enough then we can win any game, we’ve shown that against the best already.

“Now the most important thing is winning, not the performance. We are professionals and we believe in ourselves as a team and as a squad.

“We can stay in the Premier League for another season. It’s never over until it’s over.

“There’s a lot of hard work to do. The players are all working hard and we will throw everything at it in these final games.”

happy ending

I believe he is a really hard worker and will come good! He has got great skills and seems to have the right attitude.

I believe he is a really hard worker and will come good! He has got great skills and seems to have the right attitude.

^^^ This

Most skillful player on the team IMO

The player im most surprised and disappointed that hasn't made the transition from championship to premiership

Never been a fan.....

Undoubted skill, but so have freestylers. Not robust enough for the English game...

Most skillful player on the team IMO

No chance Daehli is .......

He needs to toughen up (mentally and perhaps physically) or find an easier league to play in. No bravery nor determination when he is in posession, just cute meaningless tricks. The way he falls over or dives when pressured is a liability to the team, squandering potential attacking oppurtunities.

Maybe I'm a bit harsh on him and I'm definitely ignorant of what he's shown in the championship and and the first half of this season. So yeah.

I think on the ball he's been worthy of a bit part player in the premier league but off the ball he is way below par. Not says he's lazy but he's tackles are often miss timed and he never closes down crosses

Still got a lot to show for us IMO.