Jonas Knudsen would be looking forward to a month-long winter break if he was still playing back home in Denmark — but he has no regrets about his summer move to Ipswich.
The Town left-back said: "Normally at this time of the year in Denmark we have a month off but instead it is a busy time in England. It is new for me but I don’t mind because I like to play a lot of games and I can take my break in the summer.
"When I was playing in Denmark, sometimes during the winter break I would go down to Thailand for the sun, or maybe take a trip to Spain. We did it like you do in the summer because the mid-season break is the longest holiday for players in Denmark.
"In the summer the break is only two to three weeks or something like that. It is not a problem for me because I am pleased to be playing in England and I can wait for a holiday at the end of the season.
"I am very happy here and I think I am going to get better and better, the more games I play. There is always a lot to learn when you join a new club — how the team plays, how they want you to play etc — but I believe I am improving all the time and I am really enjoying my time with Ipswich.
"I am a better player than the one who came to England in July. I have learned a lot from the manager and his staff, and also my team-mates, who have been a big help to me since I arrived.
"I have added new things to my game because I am playing a whole new style of football. As I have said before English football is a little bit different compared to how it is in Denmark, but I am better for the experience and if I carry on improving it can only be good.”
Knudsen is grateful to Town boss Mick McCarthy, not only for handing him the opportunity to come to England but for the way he is constantly encouraging him to improve, calling on his own vast experience in the game to pass on useful tips and advice.
The Dane added: "The manager talks with me about a lot of things, like one against one defending and other situations where I could have done better.
"He helps me a lot and will show me what he means. It is very nice because I didn’t receive such good advice in Denmark as I am getting here.
"I am a player who likes to get forward and help my team when we are attacking but I know my first priority has to be defending. I can run a lot and it is natural for me to want to go forward.
"But I’m not like Marcelo — the Brazilian who plays for Real Madrid — because he is a dribbler. I am the type who will pass the ball, overlap and then receive it again for a cross into the middle. I get forward as often as I can but I know defending is the most important part of my game.”