GUNARSSON LOVING LIFE WITH BLUEBIRDS

“Cardiff reminds me of my home in the north of Iceland,” says Gunnarsson.

“There is just something about this city which brings back memories.

“Both Cardiff and my home town are near the sea, maybe that’s part of it.

“I had a good time in Coventry, but that is in the centre of England.

“Perhaps I needed to be closer to the sea, but whatever it is I am enjoying life and football in Cardiff and have settled really well.”

Gunnarsson is still only 22-years-old and is already approaching 30 caps for Iceland.

He started in a holding midfield role for Cardiff, while Stephen McPhail’s return to the team gave him more freedom to attack and the result was three goals in two matches.

“Macca allowed me to get forward and I enjoy that role,” said Gunnarsson.

“Macca calms us down a little bit.

“He has loads of experience and it’s great to have him playing behind us, tying the midfield together.

“I love getting forward knowing Macca is there to protect our backs. I feel I have the quality to get into the box and pose a threat, but, as always, I will play wherever the manager feels is best.”

Gunnarsson, who says his boyhood dream as he grew up in Iceland and then signed for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, was to play Premier League football.

He is already an experience Championship footballer who has proved during three seasons with Coventry and already this season in Cardiff he has the ability to play at a top level and possesses a willingness to learn.

‘Gunnar’ has the drive and intensity to succeed with Cardiff City, while that long throw of his brings back fond memories of former Bluebird days when Andy Legg used to hurl the ball into the penalty area.

“Those long throws can be a threat, a danger to the opposition and we’ve scored a couple of goals from them this season,” says Gunnarsson.

“I hope I have far more to offer in terms of my football than a long throw, but if it causes opposing teams defensive problems then I’m sure we will use it.

“When the likes of Ben Turner, Mark Hudson and Rudy Gestede are in the box and a long throw goes in they are likely to win flick-ons and anything can happen.”

Gunnarsson made the move from Coventry, where he was out of contract, to the Bluebirds last summer, one of 10 players brought in by manager Malky Mackay.

This Saturday, Gunnarsson looks certain to start against Reading at the Madejski Stadium, while both he and another ex-Sky Blues player, powerful defender Ben Turner, will be heading back to the Ricoh Arena next Tuesday.

Cardiff’s Championship clash with Coventry was brought forward a week to next Tuesday after the Bluebirds qualified for the Carling Cup quarter-finals and were drawn at home against Blackburn Rovers in a tie to be played later this month.

“I’m glad I signed for Cardiff,” said Gunnarsson.

“Personally, I felt I had a really good first season with Coventry City, but my second with them was the best.

“Last season I started picking up my form again and now I hope to help Cardiff City reach the Premier League.

“When you look at the stadium, training facilities, the staff and our squad that is where this club belongs.

“We have a lot of new players here this season, but it’s clear an understanding is growing in all areas.

“Now, having started well and earned seven points from our last three matches against teams who had been above in the table, we have to kick on.

“Our aim is clear. We want to earn promotion.

“Playing in the Premier has always been my dream since I was young.

“To get there with Cardiff City in a new team under new manager Malky Mackay would make it special.

“I hope we will get there in the end and we will all give everything we have along the way.”

“There are quite a few Icelandic players who have been or are in the Premier League. Gudjonsson, Hreidarsson and more. They are good friends of mine and tell me it’s the best league in the World.

“I would love to be a part of that – with Cardiff City.”

Gunnarsson started his career in Iceland, moved to Holland where he played for AZ Alkmaar before joining Coventry City. Now he’s in Wales looking to progress again – and at only 22-years-old.

good article class player i just hope he stays fit all year he could be the diffrence between us and playoffs

I hope he won't take it personally if I ever told him that when I managed Coventry on FM2010, I sold him to Brondby for £3m. If it's any consolation to him, it was a tough decision and a year later I steered the Sky Blues to the promised land!

In all seriousness though, I am a Gunnarsson fan and still can't believe he's so young. Feels like he's been around for ever.

Great to hear certainly a great feel good factor between the players and staff this season.

Great to hear certainly a great feel good factor between the players and staff this season.

Yes I agree fantastic

Thats the sort of enthusiasm thats contagious. I think this current squad potentialy has a few players we will look back fondly on in years to come.

Thats the sort of enthusiasm thats contagious. I think this current squad potentialy has a few players we will look back fondly on in years to come.

Agree with that mate

he said he likes being by the sea any time he wants to come down to port talbot and have a look at aberavon beack i will be happy to show him round