FC St. Pauli

Sven van der Jeugt on…

…settling into the team and club: "It's been very good. I quickly found a place to stay not too far away from the training ground. I've been given the space to express my way of thinking and working. The contact at all levels of the club is good, be it the groundstaff or the director of sport. There's a climate of open communication and everyone respects each other. There's no need to be afraid of speaking your mind. That's really positive and I'm having a lot of fun. It's a nice way to work."

…the biggest goalkeeping development since he took office: "The goalkeepers were on a  decent level when I arrived, which was good. I think a lot about how to support the lads in their positioning, movement and quick transitional play. That was the most important aspect and the most important step at the beginning."

…the mental part of goalkeeping: "Mental work is really important. In the Bundesliga you know a game can change in a fraction of a second. When things aren't going well, you have to keep going and stay positive. The team puts up a lot of resistance. We try to bring that to the pitch every week. As a goalkeeper you can make an impact. You can win points, and you can lose them. Winning points is so nice you don't think about losing them."

…staying in contact with Nikola Vasilj during the international break: "We haven't had any contact. When he's on international duty, he's on international duty, and when he's with us, he's with us. We'll talk briefly about it when Niko comes back, but when he's on international duty that's all he focuses on."

The 44-year-old Belgian joined the coaching team before the season started, having already served under Alexander Blessin as goalkeeper coach at Union Saint-Gilloise.

…the good defensive showings this season: "It's a collective thing. All 11 players on the pitch defend. Even the strikers have a hand in that. The goalkeeper is another important aspect. And when we're defending well, the goalkeeper knows where he has to be and what he has to do, so it's about helping each other."

…the injury crisis in the goalkeeper position: "It hasn't been too big a problem for my training. I try to analyse my keepers, to find their weaknesses and then work on them. Obviously, we don't want anyone to get injured, but then there's an opportunity for another player, such as Ronny Seibt. And now Eric Oelschlägel has joined us. You have to try to get the best out of the lads."

…the progress made by Ben Voll since his injury: "Ben's back on the pitch. His injury is six weeks old now and he's got the green light from the doctor. He began with some jumping exercises yesterday. He feels strong. It's only a question him finding his fitness and rhythm now, and things will be looking good."

…the good away form: "It's not important for me. I don't think about whether we're playing at home or away. I love the home support at the Millerntor, it's very special. When you talk to people in Belgium about football, they all know Millerntor Stadium. So I don't think playing away increases our chances of winning."

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters