FC St. Pauli

...the conditions: “They were superb. The training ground was right outside the door, so we didn’t waste any time on the bus, which went down very well with the players. The pitch coped well with the rain. We only had the one day when it rained, which is normal. We just switched the sessions round that day, so we didn’t have to cancel. The food was just right as well.”

...the current state of preparations: “We’ve taken a big step forward at training camp and are closer to how we want to play football. Everyone knows where we’re going. We’ve worked on footballing things and keeping compact. We’ll add the final touches back home and ensure the players are nice and sprightly. We have to get into a position where a first team emerges that can gel. It’ll be tight in three or four places, perhaps clearer in others.”

...the central defenders Lasse Sobiech and Christopher Avevor: “It’s a shame they were missing but we’ve seen we can cope. Clemens Schoppenhauer has come on and Yiyoung Park is a cool lad who has done a good job. The squad is growing closer together.”

...Jeremy Dudziak, who was used in central midfield in both friendlies: “I saw we need a more footballing midfield and alternatives to Bernd Nehrig and Johannes Flum. Jerry gave some solid displays and did a good job. He’s an all-round footballer with lots of talent.”

...on fit-again Richard Neudecker: “I had to get to know Richy first. He’s combative and effective and very good on the ball as well. He has a lot of quality at pace. We’ve tried him out in holding midfield as well so we have more attacking options and footballing solutions. He’s done well and is a genuine alternative.”

...keeper Svend Brodersen: “He’s kept goal well and shown he’s a man with a future.”

...Under-23 midfielder Ersin Zehir: “I saw some good things from him. Ersin has shown he can compete at this level. He’s a good strategist who demands the ball and plays audacious football. We’ll bring him on bit by bit.”

...potential winners of the training camp: “Everyone (he grins). It wouldn’t be right to single anyone out. They were all very attentive and tried to put things into practice.”

...opening opponents Dynamo Dresden, who were watched in their training camp friendly against Werder Bremen II: “They put a lot of emphasis on possession and have the composure to put moves together, though we knew that already from the last six months. We’ll be prepared for that. It’ll be interesting and exciting. A meeting of different teams with different ideas.”

...his favourite training camp moment: “When Uwe Stöver gave me a small dish of Nutella I’d momentarily lost sight of (he laughs).”