It has been a long road back from injury for Mikael Forssell, with plenty of false dawns, but he finally appears to have returned to his best.The Finland international looked to be on his way out of Birmingham City in the summer but a proposed move to Hanover stalled. However, Forssell used that as a positive experience and has since cemented a starting place in Steve Bruce’s line-up, scoring a goal at Chelsea on the opening day of the campaign.He didn’t find the net in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland but completed 90 minutes and finally appears to have put the knee problems that have dogged him for three seasons to bed.Givemefootball caught up with Forssell to discover what his aspirations for the season are as Birmingham bid for Premier League survival.
Q:IS MIKAEL FORSSELL BACK FO FULL FITNESS AS THE GOAL AGAINST CHELSEA PROVED?
A:I don’t want to be quoted as saying I’m back or anything like that. I don’t like those kind of quotes. This has definitely been the best pre-season I have had at this club.The last proper pre-season I had was before I came here on loan and I went on to score 17 Premiership goals. That pre-season with Chelsea went really well and a good pre-season gives an indication to you of how the season may go. The first thing I wanted to do this year was get through the pre-season but, after that, to play well and score goals, that’s important to me. People have been saying nice things, but I want to show it in the Premier League and over a longer period of time for the whole season. That’s my aim. I want to score goals and that comes through being fit. What I made clear to myself is that I am taking it one game at a time and one training session at a time.
Q:ARE YOU 100% FIT?
A:I don't want to put percentages on it. I believe I still have some things to improve on.The only thing I can say is that I feel very good for the moment and I need a bit of luck. I don't want to talk about it, just show it on the pitch and let people make their own decisions.
Q:AS A FORMER CHELSEA PLAYER WHAT DID IT MEAN TO SCORE AGAINST THEM?
A:It was very special to score. I have very fond memories of Chelsea. I spent seven years on their books. It was emotional. But the Birmingham team comes first for me. We got nothing for a good performance so that was disappointing. Out of respect for Chelsea I didn't want to celebrate that much. There was still a long way to go in the game as well. I was happy about the goal, of course, but I didn't want to really celebrate it a lot.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR THE TEAM TO MAKE A GOOD START?
A:“A couple of years ago we started very badly and we've learnt from that. We have to try and make the best of the first few games. We know how very important that is in the Premier League. This season we have players who want to work for the team, on every part of the pitch. Whatever comes, it will only come through hard work - and our team is not afraid of that.
Q:IS THAT HIGH-TEMPO STYLE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT?
A:One thing that Birmingham and Steve Bruce have always had is people who work for the club. They have to put the shirt on and work. That is the only way to survive in the Premier League. You have to have players who want to work and want to succeed. Now, he's got that again.
Q:FOUR GOALS IN TWO GAMES IS AN EXCELLENT START FOR THE TEAM ISN’T IT?
A:We have a lot of options, not only with strikers but midfielders and wingers who have an attacking mentality. People want to score goals and want to go forward. Even from the back four, we get it up to the front quicker and with more quality. I think that's why we create more. For the first time for a long time, when I come to the ball, everyone is looking forward to give it to me - from the back four and the midfielders. If I get it in front of the opposition defence and turn, then they are pretty much screwed. That's what we are trying to do whenever we can, even with a bit of risk. If we lose the ball there, then no problem. If we just play, play, play and lose the ball in midfield then that creates more problems for us.
