New Birmingham City striker Garry O'Connor is confident he can score goals in the Premiership.
"I don't regret my spell in Russia. I feel I became a much better player for the experience as I had to adjust to all sorts of things.
"At the same time, I was working with top-class coaches and players and the standard was certainly higher than in Scotland.
"But the crowds were not very big and this is going to be the big difference, so far as I am concerned, when I play in front of some huge crowds.
"The other challenge at Birmingham is that they have several other good strikers at the club including Mikael Forssell, Cameron Jerome and Rowan Vine.
"It is this sort of competition which brings the best out of me. I know that once I get into the team my main task will be to retain the position and that means playing to the best of my ability.
"Our next five games are against Sunderland, West Ham, Derby, Middlesbrough and Bolton. It is from these type of games that we must pick up points to make a good start to the season.
"This is where Birmingham went wrong the last time they were in the Premier League. They made a disastrous start and never recovered.
"Promoted clubs generally struggle in their first Premier League season. Wigan and Reading have been exceptions and it is up to the likes of me to put Birmingham on a firm footing for the rest of the season."
