FC St. Pauli

... his performance against Darmstadt: "It was a bit of a weight off my shoulders to get more playing time and do well. I had a chance to show what I can do, and I think I did that. In the phase we're in, it's not about me, though, it's about the team as a whole and it's all the more disappointing that we didn't manage to turn it round."

...the atmosphere after his goal: "I'd already had a chance with a header before I scored and obviously I would have liked to have got the goal earlier. We could have the carried the fans with us even more then over a longer period. The atmosphere after I scored was incredible. It was one-way traffic in the last ten minutes. It was a nice feeling and I hope we'll experience it a couple more times."

...a possible start at home against Nürnberg: "I felt comfortable playing as a second striker against Darmstadt, but if the coach says I should play as a No8 or somewhere else, then obviously I'll do it. I've done it often enough and I'm there if my quality is needed. I'm ready and up for playing more games. The coach has the last word, though, and if he says I'm ready, I'm happy to make myself available."

...the mood in the squad with a view to the contract situation: "You're always going to talk about it among yourselves in the dressing room, but I don't think it impacts our performances on the pitch. We're all professional enough to perform even if it is on the back of your mind. All I can say is that the mood in the squad is good."

The 81st minute against Darmstadt. After a Christopher Buchtmann cross is flicked on by Guido Burgstaller, Lukas Daschner scores his first competitive goal for the club.

...the league table and the remaining fixtures of our rivals: "It is something we talk about. You always have a look at it after the weekend matches. We're taking each game as it comes, though, and are hoping to get three points on Friday. After that we can have another look at the table and then go again against Schalke. I think the second division is the most exciting league at the moment, possibly in the world. There's the Premier League, where Man City and Liverpool are way out in front and picking up points every week, but in the second division there are six clubs who are all in with a shout at the top."

...the season finale with two more home games: "There's always a superb atmosphere when the ground is full. I think we have a big advantage over other teams who still have two away games. We're obviously hoping to win both home games as well as the away one."

...his relationship with FC Schalke 04, being a Duisburg lad: "I spent three years at Schalke but don't really have a relationship with them. In the Ruhr, it's generally the case that there's only one team you can choose to support. My hometown club is MSV Duisburg and so Schalke's not really of any interest to me. I'd obviously be delighted if we could annoy them by taking three points."

Photos: Witters