It must be a relief to be back in the first team?
Yeah, especially as the rest of the team have been doing so well, comparatively. You've just got to keep going, we've a lot of good players and it's great to be playing. The manager's always kept me involved with the first team, no matter what, so I can have no complaints there. We've had a reasonable start to the Premiership but we'll have a better indication soon.
How do you think the Premiership has changed since you played here with West Ham?
It's more difficult, certainly, even in such a short space of time. Even at West Ham we had to scrap a lot to try and get points at places like Chelsea, Manchester United. But the fact that Blues are now in that same position is testament to how far we've come. As a left winger you're sometimes singled out for special attention, being a sort of specialist position, and every game has been hard so far. But my job's to get forward and get the crosses in, and I'll carry on trying to do that.
How would you describe the football climate back home in Australia?
It's not really picked up as much as some people would've hoped, but with every Aussie playing in the Premiership there's a big new following for the English game at least. So the more Australian players that get top flight football, the better it'll be for the game at home. All of a sudden, although we're a world away, Birmingham's profile has been boosted over there. People probably knew who I was because of the national side, but perhaps not so much Birmingham City, and it's good that that's starting to change.
Where can you see the Socceroos going, after failing to qualify twice?
We've just got to keep trying. An extra World Cup Finals place for Oceania keeps being mentioned by FIFA, but then the problem is that it becomes a bit too easy, in comparison to now where it's too hard! Sending Australia out to have to play the fourth or fifth best side in South America can be a bit unfair when you've countries like Argentina or Uruguay, who have for whatever reason struggled to get through their own groups. Then getting players together constantly is hard too. We're hoping perhaps to be put into an Asian group where the standard is higher than what we're playing right now, but would give us a much more realistic chance of qualifying. We'll get there!
Do you still watch local Australian soccer leagues? Any promising youngsters you could recommend?
Yeah I keep in touch by e-mail or whatever, but most of the best players are being fed in by English clubs actually. I know Middlesbrough have taken in a couple of 17, 18-year-olds and Blues have done the same in the past. How did you get into football back home, considering it's quite far down the pecking order in comparison to Aussie Rules, cricket and rugby? I just started playing at school and I eventually got a chance. West Ham came over to Australia and it just went from there, something I'm very grateful for.
You're from a Greek background, did you ever consider playing for their national side instead?
Yeah, the opportunity did arise but I was born Australian and wanted to go with them really. I respect the heritage and that, but it'd be hard to live your life in Australia and play for another team. It happens a lot here, especially with Ireland and people tracing back roots, but it'd be very different back there to take to a country on the other side of the world.
Have you been watching much of the Ashes?
Yeah of course, haha! Some of the cricket we've been playing has been phenomenal, though England sort of made it difficult for themselves by choosing to field first. But they had a good second day, and played some pretty good stuff, but I think consistency is their biggest problem.
What can you see yourself doing after football?
I think I'd stay in football for a bit in Australia, especially locally. But I can't see myself going into management or anything like that. Do I have any secret passions to do anything? Haha, none that I'd mention over the phone! But seriously apart from that I'd quite like to perhaps go into property development, I do a bit now, but I've got a good while to think about it and I'll see what else happens.
What do you do in your spare time then?
As most footballers will tell you, football seems to occupy all of your time! It's not just turning up a couple of hours for training, sometimes it's difficult to separate yourself from it. I do watch and play cricket but my main priority away from football is just relaxing, usually in front of the TV, and getting ready for the next game.
Do you watch Neighbours?
Haha, sometimes! Although I watch anything really - you'd be surprised, though, no-one really bothers with it in Australia. It's nothing like as big as it is here. Do I often get asked about the plot? Haha, yeah I used to get that all the time, but I reckon it's probably all caught up now.
What are your personal aims this season?
Just to keep putting those balls in for people to score, working hard for the team and keeping my place. Keeping Birmingham in the Premiership is all we're all working towards and I'm looking forward to doing my bit.
Reproduced with permission from www.bcfc.com.