FC St. Pauli

Jackson Irvine on...

...the situation after the 1-1 draw against Darmstadt: "Obviously we're disappointed because the results haven't matched the performances we've put in over the course of the season, but everyone's still in a really positive mood. When you play this well, especially against the top teams, you know you have nothing to fear, and that belief stays high. We've got three games to go before the winter break and three big performances and some positive results will change the way things are looking right now."

...the little things that have been missing recently: I often say it's a game of fine margins and small moments. I think over the course of the season, over most games, we've been very, very good in the big moments. It's just come down to that little a bit of luck or substance that's not been there for us at both ends in certain moments, but when you have the right attitude, and everyone keeps doing the right things consistently, I'm always a believer that you can make things turn just through your own mentality. If the team keeps pushing and believing in that right direction, you feel it when it changes, and the last game was a good moment for us. Obviously having had the big moment of the game in the first half I'm disappointed it didn't go for me, but if we keep doing the right things that will change."

...possible new signings in attack: "We have total belief in the players we have here. We see the quality they possess every day in training. They have the full backing of the entire squad. The players we have can turn our situation around and we have full belief in one another all over the field."

...the contrasting home and away form this season: "It's clear we get an extra little lift at home from our fans and it's the same for other teams when they're at home. That can maybe make small differences, but we don't approach games any differently whether we’re at home or away. First and foremost, we'll stay focused on trying to put in those good performances, and then I think things will change."

...the barren spell away from home: You have to be strong mentally. For the more experienced players like me, Leart Paqarada and Eric Smith, it's our job to lead from the front. I do think we're mentally very strong, though, even for a very young team, and we have the characters who can handle that pressure. We now have two away games out of three before we finish the year and there's no better time now to turn our fortunes than next week. An ugly win away is as good as a top performance sometimes, but we do need to get that little bit of substance back in the crucial moments."

...the current league position: "I always look forward and am not worried about the situation. You only have to look at our performances against the top team at the weekend and in other games as well where we've shown we're able to compete at the top level in this competition. We all have the mentality that we're looking forward rather than over our shoulder. Obviously, you have to go week by week, but we're always motivated to go higher rather than looking at what's behind us."

...the possibility of playing alongside Connor Metcalfe at the World Cup: I hope he'll be there, of course. He's really grown into his place in the squad and as a player in the last few weeks and months. I'm obviously very hopeful from a personal point of view that he'll be on the plane. He's gone from strength to strength and has shown his versatility and his technical ability."

...signing a new contract: I'm very happy and grateful to have found new strength here at St. Pauli and to have developed as a player. We'll see what the future brings."

Photos: FC St. Pauli