"I can see that the work we did together last season is starting to come together for us now. We are a much better side than this time last year," said the £6m signing from Barcelona.
"We were unlucky in some games that maybe we would draw now or even win. Now we are more confident in these games and they can make the difference to put us at the top of the table.
"So many people said last year, 'you are playing well in the Champions League but not in the Premiership, what is happening?' But we are starting to show that it is not such a problem to play in both competitions now.
"We had so many players arriving last season and that is always going to be difficult to work straightaway. Myself, Xabi, Fernando and sometimes Josemi would all play in the same team. We all came from La Liga, as did the manager, which is different to the Premiership. But now we have changed our mindsets towards playing in England. We all know the other players and teams much better and that is why we are stronger and wiser than last season.
"When Rafa took over at Valencia people were saying they weren't really a good team. They were always a compact side under Hector Cuper, drawing 0-0 and 1-1 all the time. But after Christmas in that first season they started winning games 1-0 and 2-1, winning all the time, and went on to win the title when nobody expected them to. I think we are getting closer to that and are more consistent.
"I think the manager has had to change some of his methods to suit the game here. He has maintained the main things that he finds important to the team, such as the workrate in training and out on the pitch, but I think he is more adaptable now depending on the opposition.
"His tactics have developed to the point where he will change his formation much more. He didn't used to do it as much but now he might go from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 or 5-2-3. We change sometimes but more often than not it depends on the other team. He learns with experience all the time."