There has been constant transfer speculation about Mario Melchiot this season, but the Birmingham full-back isn't letting it affect his football. The Holland international has been in good form for Steve Bruce's men this season, although he has been hampered by a thigh injury. He missed their FA Cup battle at Torquay this weekend, but should be fit for the crucial Premiership clash at Charlton this Saturday. He welcomed in 2006 with his first goal of the season against Wigan exactly seven days ago and, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson, he felt exactly like a centre forward when he broke his seasonal duck.
Q:I KNOW IT WAS A WEEK AGO NOW – BUT I BET YOU CAN REMEMBER YOUR FIRST GOAL OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST WIGAN?
A:It was one of those moments that a striker has and I know how it feels to be like a striker. It dropped under my feet eight yards out and I just tucked it in!
Q:HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ROLE OF THE EXPERIENCED PLAYERS WHEN THE TEAM IS STRUGGLING?
A:We can help the young players, but the experience I can bring to the side is that I want to win games and I am used to winning games. That experience I will put it across. I don't like the experience of being in the relegation zone. That doesn't make any difference as my way of thinking is that if we keep winning then we don't have to worry about other teams. That is sometimes a problem if you start looking at other teams.
Q:WITH SEVEN POINTS OUT OF NINE IN YOUR LAST THREE HOME FIXTURES – IT LOOKS AS THOUGH YOU ARE FINALLY TURNING THE CORNER AT ST ANDREW'S?
A:We have got a lot of tough games coming up and when other teams come to St Andrew's we should give them a really hard time. We should get at least a draw and you should never lose. When you start looking at it like that, you are already picking up points and then, away from home, you do as well as you can and sometimes you can win. When you win games things will change for you.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH JERMAINE PENNANT WILL BE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE SEASON?
A:I know that the way Jermaine and I play suits each other really well. I know that when I am absent from the team it affects his game too. The manager says to him that he isn#t maybe playing as well as he can all the time and then the manager says to me that we see a big difference in him as well when you are not playing. The way we play together sometimes it can be difficult for him to get going when I am not there. Everybody in the Premier League knows how good our right side was – and still is – but things change when one of you gets injured.
Q:SO HOW IS YOUR INJURY?
A:My injury isn't that bad. I hate coming off, but we spoke about it at half time during the Wigan game and the manager decided to take me off otherwise it could get worse. It was just my thigh playing up again and we want me to play again next week.
Q:WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR MARIO MELCHIOT?
A:The most important thing for me at present isn't what I want, but Birmingham City. People always want to talk about my future and sometimes that isn't respectful to the club as it is a really important time for Birmingham at present. Don't get me wrong, I want the best for myself and I will do the best for myself, but it is important that we focus on the job in hand.
