ANTOINE Sibierski believes he can turn a testing first year with Manchester City to his advantage by learning from the perils and pitfalls of the Premiership.

When Blues boss Kevin Keegan swooped to sign Sibierski from Lens last summer, it was primarily to replace the errant Eyal Berkovic - who had just slapped in a transfer request - as City's main creative force.

A bright start to his English career, capped with a d'but goal against Charlton, suggested that Sibierski would become a leading figure for City. Things, however, have not gone quite according to plan.

Sibierski has never had the opportunity to play in his preferred role behind two strikers, but he feels that the roles he has taken across City's midfield will stand him in good stead next year.

"We've had bad results so we've not been able to play the way that the gaffer would like us to," said Sibierski. "I have to play like a defensive midfielder sometimes, like Joey Barton and Paul Bosvelt.

"It's not my position because I'm more of an offensive player. But I'm happy to play anywhere for this team. I'm not disappointed just because I don't play in the one position that I favour. It's important to work for the team.

"I'm happy to play on the right or the left for two or three games, but I know that there are other players who are better in those positions. I'll always do my best though, and it has helped me to understand the English game.

"The important thing is that the gaffer and the staff know what my best position is, and I know that I will get the chance to show that sooner rather than later. It will all come when results improve."

Like so many of his colleagues, Sibierski has been flummoxed at the way Keegan's men have failed not only to muster a challenge for a European place but have also become embroiled in a battle against relegation.

It is a far cry from what he expected when he swapped Le Championnat for the Premiership. Still, Sibierski cannot fathom how the campaign has ended up as it has, especially after some performances.

"With the quality that there is in the group, we should not be in the position that we are," he insisted. "We have to do more, we know that. But when you look at the players we have here, we should really be in the top 10.

"Except Arsenal, I've not seen a team that is better than us. For me, Manchester City can win against anyone. We must have the confidence to believe that, but the bad results we've had haven't helped.

"To take the points that remain, we have to be strong in the head. Mentally is where we have to stay focused. The way to win is to play football, but that's been difficult for us because the confidence hasn't been there."

Still, Sibierski reckons there is every reason to look at the future positively and the 29-year-old insists he has no regrets about accepting Keegan's proposal last summer. I didn't come here just to play and have a good time and score many, many goals just for myself. Not at all. I came to Manchester to win trophies and to do well in the Premiership as part of a successful team."

YOU can read Dominic King's full interview with Sibierski in the CITY MAGAZINE on sale on Tuesday. Tweet