CATCHING UP WITH JESPER DALAND

I caught up with Cardiff City defender Jesper Daland, as we discuss the Norwegian's first season at The Bluebirds, his message to supporters, and of course that roulette on his debut.

Catching up with Jesper Daland.

How did your move to Cardiff City come about?

I heard Cardiff were interested for some time, and a few months went on and then obviously when I saw there was a possibility of me coming to Cardiff, I was really happy and I took it. I had conversations with the club for a few months and in the end everything got sorted. So, very happy about that.

You had quite the introduction to English Football with a South Wales Derby - describe what it was like to play in the Derby, and what on earth possessed you to do a roulette.

Obviously it was special, these are the games you want to play, these are the type of games you're looking forward to before the season. Obviously in Belgium I had a derby, so I couldn't imagine a better game to start. I was really happy that I went straight in the team and was able to play the game. It was special, very special. I'd heard a lot about it beforehand, how important it is for the club, for the fans, for everyone around. So there were some nerves but just really happy to start my Cardiff career in a game like that. About the roulette, sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right in the moment and somehow that felt right. So probably not a move you see too often, especially from a centre back. Hopefully I can do a roulette or two again this season.

After a really good start, you picked up an injury in your second game, how big of an affect did that have on you mentally?

It's a bit tough. I felt I had a good start to the season. Obviously, I had a pre-season in Belgium, had the start of the season in Belgium and felt I was in a good way, felt good coming to Cardiff. I think that the first two games went well. Then getting an injury is never fun, so it was tough. You want to be out there helping the team. Coming to Cardiff, I wanted to be around the team but it's how football is sometimes. I just tried my best to get back on my feet as soon as possible. You never want to be injured, so obviously it sucked, but that's the reality sometimes.

How have you handled the physical and tactical demands of English Football compared to the Belgian Pro League?

I think the Belgian Pro League is quite a physical division as well. Obviously looking back, I didn't have my best year, so it's difficult to say. I think normally the physical part of English Football normally wouldn't be a problem. I see myself quite a physical player. Tactically, obviously there is going to be differences in any league you play in. The Championship is one of the toughest and demanding leagues, so it was definitely tough. Obviously need a little time for adaptation but that's why I came here, I wanted a new challenge, wanted something new, wanted something different. Even though last season was tough both personally and as a team, I enjoyed every minute on the pitch. Physically and tactically it's different to Belgium, but again I love a challenge and it definitely was. Over the year it was difficult but I think normally think that's something that will suit me. Now we go again for League One.

What was your relationship with Erol Bulut like?

My relationship with Erol was good. Obviously he wasn't there for a long time when I was there. I don't know how long he was there before he was gone, probably a month or two. I had some conversations with him, I think we had a good relationship. Obviously we didn't know each other for a long time, but that's how it is sometimes.

What difficulties did you find getting back to fitness, with you being in and out of the team?

It's difficult when you're out injured and you gain your fitness back and your making your way back into the squad and trying to get yourself back in the team. It's difficult. It's always going to be when your out with injuries, it's always going to be difficult coming back into the team straight away, but I knew with the squad we have and the players we have, we had and have a big squad, with lots of good players. So, it was never going to be easy just walking back into the team, but I think that's always good to have competition for spots. It's just part of the game, obviously you always want to be playing but you just have to do everything you can do to get back in the team, especially if you've been injured for sometime, like I was.

You were brought back in as Cardiff went on a seven game unbeaten run in January, what would you put that change in fortunes down to? What changed?

We were in a good run, played loads of good games, just a good period of time. What changed? It's always difficult to put words to it. Obviously looking back on everything last season and everything it's difficult to put into words. I think we had good periods and bad periods, and it's always going to be like that in football, but I don't think we changed anything really. It was the same team, same mentality, same ideas, but we just weren't able to keep it up. That could be luck, un-luck, could be so many different things but it's difficult to put a specific explanation to it.

In that run, you played in the 3-0 win over Swansea City, can you describe from a players point of view the emotion of that day and just how big the win was for the team.

This is a game easy to describe. Definitely a game I will remember for the rest of my career. That many fans, the atmosphere, just everything. 3-0, everything was so special. Even though last season was so tough for everyone, the fans, us, the club, I think that game, you just look back and it just makes you happy. Everything was perfect and you kind of get goosebumps thinking about it. An amazing game I will remember for a long time. Very very special.

Sivert Mannsverk joined in January - what was your relationship with him like before he joined? And just a few words on what you made of the signing and Sivert’s impact during his time here.

We've been together at the National Team a few times, so it was nice for me to have another Norwegian here. So, I was buzzing when he came here. A very nice guy, good football player. I just felt for me everything felt right and I was really happy when he joined. We have a good relationship. I think he did his things well here, he came at a difficult time, but he played a lot and I think he did well when he was here, he's a good player and that helped us, definitely. It was nice for me, especially as a Norwegian, to have someone I know and someone I can speak the same language with.

Another injury soon followed, how different do you think your season could’ve been if you’d stayed fit throughout the season?

Obviously tough. It's difficult to say how my season would have been if I stayed fit the whole season. I've been lucky if you look away from last season. Probably the last four or five seasons before that, I didn't even have a small injury, never injured. So last year was a bit different for me, it sucks not being able to help the team. Didn't feel I got to the level I wanted to be, didn't feel like I helped the team as much as I could. So, last year was really tough for me personally, but that's football. You just have to pick up, work harder, come back stronger, so hopefully I can hit the levels and be where I want to for this season and keep myself fit. No injuries, no nothing, just be there, train hard and help get the team back to where we belong. We can't look back on last year too much. It was tough with injuries and everything but that's how football is sometimes, I think it will be different this year of course, but that's just natural.

What was your relationship with Omer Riza like?

I had a good relationship with Omer. I think he's a very nice guy, wish him all the best. Obviously it didn't work out the way he or we wanted but it's how it is. But my relationship with him was good, and like I said, I wish him all the best for the future.

Cardiff obviously faced relegation - from a personal point of view, how did that affect you?

Of course it affects you, I didn't think we'd be in the relegation area last year. Obviously that's the reality and we weren't good enough. Football is rough. I think with our team, with the squad we have and the quality we have, I think we could have done a lot better, but that's football, we weren't good enough. Obviously tough for everyone, tough for me. Football is brutal sometimes. Last season is behind us, now everything we can do is just focus, train hard, be a lot better and come back and bring the club back where it truly belongs. I think everyone's really excited for a new season ahead, and making things right again.

The players have now been back for two weeks - what is the mood in the camp like?

The mood is really good. People are excited for the new season. Like I said, making things right and just ready to start up again, me as well as the team. I think everyone is looking forward to a new season and playing at the stadium again, the kind of things you miss when you're on holiday. We'll be ready when the season starts.

What have your interactions been like with the new gaffer and his staff so far?

Still in the beginning of Pre-Season, but I think it's been good with the new gaffer and his team so far. They've come in with great energy and yeah, really excited just for a new season, obviously new staff and everything. Really exciting and really looking forward to the next few weeks and months. I think things look really good right now and we're just going to have to keep going and see where it leads us.

What’s your message to the Cardiff City supporters ahead of the new season.

It's tough sending out a message, but just like I've said, I know last year was tough and everyone's obviously sad about last season but now it's a new start. It's a new season. we're getting ready. We need your support like we had last year to make our way back up to where we really belong again. So, just hoping everyone will stick with us and be on our side like they were last year. Together Stronger. Everyone is really excited to play at the stadium again in front of everyone and hopefully we can do great things this year.

Big Thank You to Jesper for answering for taking time to answer these questions, a real gentleman and top man!

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