Interesting profile of Kagisho Dikgacoi on the offal today. We haven’t seen much of our South African midfielder, but the glimpses we’ve got so far – bar that red card at Upton Park – seem promising. There was one absolutely delightful pass against Swindon and, for the most part, lots of energy when he’s been introduced as a substitute lately. He’ll do well to get past Chris Baird at the moment, though.
It was 2008 when I first came here and I couldn’t get the work permit, but finally I got it last year. ‘m really happy that Fulham were following my progress all along, I came back again and I’m really happy here so far.
I understood the reason why I wasn’t able to get the work permit at first – I didn’t have enough caps for the national team. I was expecting to make up those caps in the Confederations Cup and after that I was able to get the caps needed.
I’m enjoying myself, it’s good here and we have a good bunch of players. They welcomed me here very well – the management and even the supporters have been fantastic to me. It’s a bit different here, obviously the weather is a big different and in terms of play, the speed of activities during play is a bit quicker than in South Africa. But I’m getting used to the style of play so far.
I can learn a lot from the experienced players here. People like Jonathan Greening and Danny Murphy have been playing football for a long time. I sometimes talk to them and they sometimes come to me and teach me. They’ve been good to me. The fans have also been good to me. The first time I played at home was against Swindon and they were fantastic to me.
He’s [Roy Hodgson] happy with me and my progress during training. He’s always encouraging me to work hard; I know I will get my chance. Unfortunately I got a red card on my first Premier League game but like he said, I just have to keep working hard and the opportunity will come.
I have to be patient but at the same time I have to keep my work level up. Chris Baird, Jonathan Greening and Danny Murphy have been doing well I must say, so it’s up top me to push my way into the starting eleven. Getting into the First Team is my main ambition, considering the fact that we’ve got the World Cup coming up, I have to start playing to be fit enough for the World Cup. I have to push even harder until the end of the season.
That desire to make the South African starting line-up this summer can only be good for Fulham as we come towards the end of a long, hard season.
