FC St. Pauli

Marcel Hartel on…

...the defeat at Rostock: "We simply didn't come up with the answers on the pitch the way we'd done in previous games. That's a major point where we have to say we need to be brave again and ready to accept that mistakes are going to happen when we try to keep the ball on the floor and string some passing moves together. We knew it would be a heated affair and that Rostock would play very aggressively. We wanted to give as good as we got but Rostock were a bit more aggressive and won the key challenges. That's a fact. We played into their hands by playing lots of long balls, which allowed them to exploit their physical presence in the defensive challenges. We should have tried to come up with more footballing answers.

...Jackson Irvine, who could return to the side: "Jackson is very, very good and a key player. He's had a good season and is an important factor for us, as you've seen. But even if he isn't fit in time and can't play, we still have Finn Ole Becker, Christopher Buchtmann and Rico Benatelli, who have qualities of their own and would deserve to play. The lads out on the pitch simply have to give 100 per cent."

...his exhausting workrate: "The workload isn't making itself felt during a game or in training even now with the end of the season approaching. We always have good training weeks, including recovery sessions to get back to 100 per cent by the weekend."

...the tight promotion race with all the challengers playing each other: "It's great for the fans and everyone who loves the game when things are exciting and interesting. We're looking forward to every game. If we win on Saturday, there'll be no reason to celebrate yet. One look at the table tells you how tight it is. A win might send you in the right direction, but you still haven't achieved anything. The key factor is to stay calm and composed and take each game as it comes. We're focusing only on Bremen now and not looking ahead. You have to concentrate on the things you can influence and for us that means our own games."

...the special team spirit: "We're an awesome team, a complete unit. Everyone's there for each other and everyone knows what's at stake. We have to keep focusing on ourselves and prepare well for every game to ensure we end up being successful. We want to get the best possible preparation for the weekends to be 100 per cent ready."

...the Bremen game and the expected atmosphere: "I think lots of fans are going to come and it's going to be very, very loud. They'll give us their full backing for 90 minutes. If we give 100 per cent as well, we've got a chance against Bremen. I'm expecting a very interesting and exciting game. The nerves are there. It's a northern derby. In Bremen a big team are coming to the Millerntor."

Photos: Witters