FC St. Pauli

…the time at training camp

JL: "I think it was a busy nine days for the lads. We've all worked very hard, had lots of discussions and made full use of the very professional conditions. The players are improving physically and becoming more complex footballers every day, though we still have a bit more to do before the league campaign starts."

…potential new signings

AB: "We aren't waiting, we aren't passive, but we're dependent on things starting to move somewhere. We have to be in a position where we can react quickly."

JL: "We still have time to consider new signings. What's important is that we know what we want for what position. Also important is what shape the player is in and whether he's in a rhythm."

…the financial scope for new recruits

AB:  "As soon as I go out the door, I already know the terms that got two Nürnberg players out of their contracts – that would be inconceivable at our club."

…the pressure to present new players

AB: "I think pressure is part of the job when you're operating in the public domain in professional sport. We have to keep looking at our options all the time."

…possible departures

AB: "We can't rule out players leaving the club. We have to see whether it makes sense for some players to get match practice elsewhere if some of the injured players come back or we add to our squad."

…the simultaneous trust in the squad

JL: "I have to give the players my trust every day and bring them on. Andreas and I talk a lot about this and consider which players have a certain profile."

…the relationship between coach and director of sport

JL: "Andreas and I are on the same wavelength. We have the same ideas and a super feeling, which is very important. We want to achieve the maximum for FC St. Pauli. The communication with [club president] Oke is very good as well."

AB: "We used to meet in Augsburg occasionally but only really got to know each other here. If it hadn't gone well in the first few meetings, it wouldn't have made any sense for us to work together."

…the familiar injury problems

JL: "When ten players are not available, some of them from the first team, then you have to analyse that at the end of the season. Players not being able to play a full season has been a problem at St. Pauli in recent years. In football there's never a guarantee that players won't get injured. We've made some changes and we'll see whether they've had an effect in the next few months."

…the expectations for the new season

JL: "Nothing is guaranteed in this game. We'll take stock for the first time in winter and then we'll re-approach our targets without losing touch with the reality of the situation."

…the three assistant coaches

JL: "We're glad Hans [Schrijver] opted for St. Pauli. He likes to analyse things in peace and quiet and as a person is very pleasant and loyal. Markus [Gellhaus] has already worked by my side for ten years and I did my coaching badge with Truller [André Trulsen]. Both have collected experience in different places."

…the remaining time before the season starts

JL: "The lads have got the weekend off now and on Monday we have a photoshoot together. We then have the warm-up game at Flensburg and what will be the toughest test of pre-season against Heerenveen."

Photo: Witters