FC St. Pauli

Andreas Albers on…

...his initial impressions: "The conditions here are excellent and the coaching team work in a very organised way. Everyone's really nice and has been very helpful. I was given a great welcome, the lads have made it easy for me. After just one week, I already feel very much at home."

...his move to FC St. Pauli and the reasons for it: "Sometimes negotiations take a while, but sometimes they go very quickly. I've always had an eye out for FC St. Pauli. It's always been an interesting club for me. I was prepared to come here and I'm happy it worked out. When two things go together, it doesn't take long. The style of play under Fabian Hürzeler in the second half of the season was very attractive. As a centre-forward I want to be involved and contribute with my aerial game. In my view that was precisely what was missing and I want to help out there. I hope I can play a good role in that respect."

...adjusting to a different style of play compared with Regensburg: "Everything's new for me. I have to learn to think differently here and take up different positions, for example, or turn or play in a different direction. We spend a lot of time working on all that on the training ground and that's really good for me. Slowly but surely things are going in the right direction. It was also important for me to begin pre-season so early rather than just before the start of the season."

...his hope of improving at FCSP: "I'm genuinely optimistic. With the training and everything associated with it, the coaching team make the players better footballers. We aren't here to be entertained, we all want to develop and the same goes for me. I want and have to develop and improve in footballing terms in order to become a better player on the ball and I'm giving 100%. My teammates are on a very good level and very good footballers, which can also help me become better."

...his low susceptibility to injury: "Fortunately I haven't had any major injuries. Obviously that helps me at the age of 33 to be fit and ready to play rather than having problems every two weeks. You get to know your body better with experience. You can't be too greedy and do too much the way you did as a young player. You simply have to let your body rest and recuperate. That takes longer when you're older."

...taking on responsibility: "I'm an experienced player who likes to take on leadership. I enjoy working with young players on the pitch and passing on my experience. I'm a very quiet person, not someone who kicks down doors. I'm more matter-of-fact. But I do speak up if there's an issue. I don't just criticise, I put forward an alternative."

Photos: Witters