' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Fri Aug 28, 2015 4:40 pm
' The Kagisho Dikgacoi Cardiff City interview: I feared for my future when Russell Slade was appointed but he's helped conquer fitness demons '
FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2015
The former Crystal Palace enforcer was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before enduring a nightmare season
BY TERRY PHILLIPS
South African midfield player Kagisho Dikgacoi admits he feared for his Cardiff City future when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club, but says: “Russell Slade has helped me through to fitness.”
The former Crystal Palace enforcer was signed by Solskjaer, but the Norwegian leftthe Bluebirds soon after the start of last season.
Slade was appointed in October and Dikgacoi revealed: “The change of manager concerned me because the gaffer didn’t sign me and at the time I wasn’t playing.
“It took me a long time to recover from injury, it was stressful.
“The gaffer has been supportive every step of the way and helped me. He encouraged me to work even harder. He wanted me back at my best and pushed me to achieve that.”
Dikgacoi made only two Championship appearances during 2014-15 because of a back injury which led to muscle problems, but he has been involved in all four league fixtures this season and is a certain starter at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
He was sent on a personal summer boot camp amid concerns over his general fitness and weight but has responded well.
“I never doubted that I would get back,” he said. “The length of injury made it difficult, but I was going to the gym and working on fitness all the time.
“Pre-season was hard because I didn’t really play last season. I had to come in two weeks earlier than the other players. THe work was tough, but I had to do it.
“Personally, it feels good to be back after such a long time. Last season was frustrating for me.
“The fitness coaches played a crucial part in helping me. It’s been tough, I’ve been out of action for a long time because of a back injury, but I am happy I have been able to get back.
“People around me at the club helped me keep going when I was injured, I wanted to get back.
“I would like to show fans what I can do, work hard and help Cardiff earn promotion. We have a quality side. A team who can take us to Premier.
“Our aim is automatic promotion. We want to win the league or finish second. Play-offs are difficult and we are focused on a top two finish.
“It’s been a decent start. We should have beaten Fulham, but then earned two solid draws away and won against Wolves. I am impressed by our team.
“Last season Cardiff was the only team I wanted to join and I hoped we would get promotion. It wasn’t possible to achieve that, but I am really positive this time.”
Dikgacoi helped Crystal Palace earn promotion via the play-offs during 2012-13 and he says the current Bluebirds squad compares favourably with the Eagles’ team from that time.
“They are the same, I can compare them,” he said. “Morale was a problem at times last season (at Cardiff). All the changes made it difficult, but the spirit is there now.
“There is a togetherness among the players and those factors helped when I was at Palace.
“We have started well and haven’t lost a game going into the Nottingham Forest match. There is a lot more to come from us, but we have a long way to go.”
Dikgacoi has been a growing influence in his role just in front of the back four and says: “I am almost 100 per cent fit. That feels good after being out for a long time.
“There is a little way to go, but I am regaining sharpness. Two or three games from now I will get there.”
FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2015
The former Crystal Palace enforcer was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before enduring a nightmare season
BY TERRY PHILLIPS
South African midfield player Kagisho Dikgacoi admits he feared for his Cardiff City future when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club, but says: “Russell Slade has helped me through to fitness.”
The former Crystal Palace enforcer was signed by Solskjaer, but the Norwegian leftthe Bluebirds soon after the start of last season.
Slade was appointed in October and Dikgacoi revealed: “The change of manager concerned me because the gaffer didn’t sign me and at the time I wasn’t playing.
“It took me a long time to recover from injury, it was stressful.
“The gaffer has been supportive every step of the way and helped me. He encouraged me to work even harder. He wanted me back at my best and pushed me to achieve that.”
Dikgacoi made only two Championship appearances during 2014-15 because of a back injury which led to muscle problems, but he has been involved in all four league fixtures this season and is a certain starter at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
He was sent on a personal summer boot camp amid concerns over his general fitness and weight but has responded well.
“I never doubted that I would get back,” he said. “The length of injury made it difficult, but I was going to the gym and working on fitness all the time.
“Pre-season was hard because I didn’t really play last season. I had to come in two weeks earlier than the other players. THe work was tough, but I had to do it.
“Personally, it feels good to be back after such a long time. Last season was frustrating for me.
“The fitness coaches played a crucial part in helping me. It’s been tough, I’ve been out of action for a long time because of a back injury, but I am happy I have been able to get back.
“People around me at the club helped me keep going when I was injured, I wanted to get back.
“I would like to show fans what I can do, work hard and help Cardiff earn promotion. We have a quality side. A team who can take us to Premier.
“Our aim is automatic promotion. We want to win the league or finish second. Play-offs are difficult and we are focused on a top two finish.
“It’s been a decent start. We should have beaten Fulham, but then earned two solid draws away and won against Wolves. I am impressed by our team.
“Last season Cardiff was the only team I wanted to join and I hoped we would get promotion. It wasn’t possible to achieve that, but I am really positive this time.”
Dikgacoi helped Crystal Palace earn promotion via the play-offs during 2012-13 and he says the current Bluebirds squad compares favourably with the Eagles’ team from that time.
“They are the same, I can compare them,” he said. “Morale was a problem at times last season (at Cardiff). All the changes made it difficult, but the spirit is there now.
“There is a togetherness among the players and those factors helped when I was at Palace.
“We have started well and haven’t lost a game going into the Nottingham Forest match. There is a lot more to come from us, but we have a long way to go.”
Dikgacoi has been a growing influence in his role just in front of the back four and says: “I am almost 100 per cent fit. That feels good after being out for a long time.
“There is a little way to go, but I am regaining sharpness. Two or three games from now I will get there.”
Re: ' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:00 pm
Dika is like a new signing, he's been superb so far for us and long may it continue. I think our midfield has a good balance this season, we are not being over run and are looking an hard side to beat. All we need now is a pacy forward and I think we'll be there or about the top 6. 
Re: ' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:22 pm
agree he looks like he really controls the cm and chipped in with one or two assists can't wait to see him when he's fully fit he's only gonna get betternorms76 wrote:Dika is like a new signing, he's been superb so far for us and long may it continue. I think our midfield has a good balance this season, we are not being over run and are looking an hard side to beat. All we need now is a pacy forward and I think we'll be there or about the top 6.
Re: ' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:46 pm
Yet another player praising Slade. Dikgacoi has slotted in nicely so far this season, he's all action and enthusiastic. Good to see him fit and contributing.
Re: ' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Fri Aug 28, 2015 9:23 pm
He is going to be a rock for us. 
Re: ' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Sat Aug 29, 2015 8:51 am
Hopefully we can keep him fit and injury free with him and Ralls in the middle we look solid!
Also agree we could do with more pace upfront
Slade is keeping the moaners and groaners quiet hopefully this will continue
Also agree we could do with more pace upfront
Slade is keeping the moaners and groaners quiet hopefully this will continue
Re: ' KAGISHO DIKGACOI '
Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:21 am
Looks a lot fitter now than he did vs Fulham.
Forming a nice partnership with Whitts who finally has the midfielder next to him he's needed since he became a CM nearly 5 years ago. If he's going to be in a two man midfield that is.
Forming a nice partnership with Whitts who finally has the midfielder next to him he's needed since he became a CM nearly 5 years ago. If he's going to be in a two man midfield that is.