"The first few games we were learning and we had to see what the league was about," said Iceland midfielder Gunnarsson, one of the few survivors of Cardiff's only previous Premier League campaign in 2013-14.

"But I feel we're growing into the league, and the Brighton and Fulham games will give us confidence going forward.

"We've definitely got some way to go, but the gaffer (Warnock) is trying to offer his input with his experience in the league.

"Confidence is massive in this league and so is home form.

"It's been tough dealing with hard games and setbacks, but we've still bounced back strong and there's more to come from us as a team."

Cardiff head to Everton on Saturday without a league win against the Toffees since December 1956.

The game will see Gunnarsson come up against Iceland team-mate Gylfi Sigurddsson – if the Everton playmaker has recovered from an ankle injury.

Sigurddson was the victim of a poor Jorginho challenge in Everton's goalless draw at Chelsea before the international break and did not join up with Iceland for matches against Belgium and Qatar.

"It wasn't good to see, obviously being someone who is close to me," Gunarsson said.

"It was reckless and it didn't look nice in slow motion.

"I know how important Gylfi's been for Iceland and he's doing the same thing now for Everton, creating assists and scoring.

"We speak every day as we've been going since we were under-17s.

"If he's playing on Saturday I'll probably be coming up against him as a sitting midfielder.

"It'll be a tough task because he's playing in his favourite position now, the number-10 role, but I will be ready for it."

Cardiff's upturn in form has coincided with Gunnarsson's return to action.

The 29-year-old missed the first two months of the season with a knee injury, and the Iceland captain has to tailor his training during the week.

"I'm getting there, but I've not trained as much as I'm used to," Gunnarsson said.

"It's taking a little bit of time to recover from games.

"I needed that time to rebuild on what I was dealing with and recover properly.

"Hopefully now I'll make a full season of it rather than coming back and breaking down.

"I'm trying to use my experience of this league and I feel positive."

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