Mario Melchiot is settling into life in England's Second City very well. Birmingham's summer signing has been a stalwart at right back as the team has put a difficult start to the campaign behind them. They are still languishing in 14th place but turned in a great performance during a 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Saturday. That game marked the start of 'Kick Racism out of football' week, which is supported by the PFA. Ian Clarkson spoke to Melchiot about any racism he has encountered in football and his thoughts for the rest of the season.
Q:HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED RACISM IN FOOTBALL?
A:It isn't very common now but I have experienced racism - especially playing abroad in Europe. Some people have difficulty with themselves by talking about human colour - I have never had the problem of thinking like that. It is just a lack of intelligence. If you judge people on their colour then it means you don't have the intelligence to look behind the colour. I don't upset myself thinking about things like that. I am a black person and I love my colour and I don't have a problem with that. If people have a problem with that - I can't help it.
Q:ARE YOU CONCERNED BY BIRMINGHAM'S POSITION IN THE TABLE?
A:We are positive because we are not struggling with our own minds. We still have the confidence and belief before every game that we can win. We have been losing and drawing games because of our own stupidity - not because we can't play. When you start losing games because you don't have the necessary quality then it becomes a completely different kind of problem. I don't think we have that problem.
Q:YOU A BAD LOSER?
A:I am a really bad loser. It is good for your game to be like that though. If the team isn't playing so well then you come home and you think about a lot of things. Before the game at Middlesbrough last month I had arranged to go out with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Bolo Zenden and George Boateng. However, the game didn't go according to plan and to be fair to my team mates and myself I got back on the bus to go home. When I told the Middlesbrough guys they totally understood - it is normal. I want to do the same to them when they come to Birmingham and maybe ruin their night out!
Q:SELF-BELIEF IS IMPORTANT TO YOU ISN'T IT?
A:I always have confidence and people are still watching me as I came form Chelsea, which puts extra pressure on me. But I am always confident and that is the way I play. I have always had self-belief and I need that. It doesn't mean I feel I am better than anyone else, but it is the way I go out on the pitch to try and win the game. That is the right mentality to have and while you have to pay your opponent respect, you have to believe that you can come out on top.
Q:HAVE YOU BEEN PLEASED WITH YOUR OWN FORM?
A:I am quite pleased with the way I have started at Birmingham, but I think I can do better. As a player you should always be asking more questions of yourself. As a team we are starting to understand each other's game a bit more. You need time to work together but you don't have that time in the Premiership.
Q:WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT FOR YOU?
A:I think at half time in the Bolton game. We couldn't carry on playing like we did in the first half. We were just waiting and you have to create your own things. If you are not dangerous then the opposition are always going to be on top.
