For a big club, you can accept that the team does not win the league because it is in transition, but you cannot afford to slip out of the Champions League spot.
Typically, it takes young players years to adjust to life in the big leagues and to start performing up to their capabilities. Most of the blame for this rests on these ridiculous old baseball norms that say young players are to be seen and not heard.
When I moved to Hull and I was playing against players in the Premier League, maybe I pinched myself then.
I'm sure I can work the Premier League, maybe my style of play is better suited to the Premier League than in the Championship.
Aston Villa had been in touch and they'd gone into the Premier League so I knew I could play in the Premier League just like that.
It's not that easy to come from the Bundesliga into the Premier League. It's something different.
Obviously there are questions when anyone comes up to the Premier League about whether they can cope.
I had three years of success with Molde, winning the League twice and the Cup. I thought I was fully prepared, that I was ready for the Premier League. But it's a completely different world there. Everything is much bigger.
There seemed to be a feeling that switching from the Belgian league to the Premier League was too big a step and therefore too big a risk. It needed a few players to prove otherwise then it paved the way for others.
I think the biggest adjustment I've made before coming here was going from High A to Double A. I was going in facing pitchers who had more experience and knew how to throw all their stuff for strikes and in hitter's counts, things like that.
Many came to the USFL after being cut by NFL teams or failing to even make a roster, some were Canadian league players who wanted to make a step up, and every one of them wanted to prove he was good enough to make the NFL.
I think I've played a lot in the Premier League and now I can bring my qualities that I've learned to Italy, and that is something I am looking forward to.
Jelavic improved massively going to the Premier League. He was great for Rangers, but Premier League is different: faster and more physical. He is perfect for the Premier League, has everything to succeed.
For a 20 year old the gap from Holland to England is massive. That's a fact. Not all players are able to settle in directly from day one. I remember even Van Persie needed two, three years but he became Van Persie.
It is a big challenge for me to come to the Chinese Super League.
Every college coach I talk to won't say it on record, but everyone's thinking, 'Should I go to the league?' Because you don't have the same requirements. It's different. The hours are different.
After moving to the Premier League, I've realised that I need to limber up and strengthen my body trunk.
