FC St. Pauli

Alexander Blessin on...

...the start of pre-season: "It's a special feeling when you get together for the first time. We introduced ourselves in the auditorium and talked briefly about the success of last season, but there's nothing worse than living in the past. We want to begin a new chapter and it starts today."

...his first impressions: "The lads were very committed. I saw some of the games last season but it's very different when you have the players right in front of you. I look at how they act and what their body language is like and try to have a little chat with them all. At training camp we'll have a lot more time to talk and get to know the lads better and understand what they're like. For me it's incredibly important that we act as a team. This togetherness is extremely important, we all know that, and I try to lead by example."

...his communications on the training ground: "I want to be able to keep out of things occasionally and give my voice a rest, which didn't work today. When we start the drills there are certain things I think are very important and the lads have to understand that. I want them to embrace certain principles and the way I address them is very important. Sometimes I'm loud sometimes, sometimes I'm quiet. Football is a sport where mistakes are made. For me it's about how you react to them. You can be annoyed about a bad pass you make or one a teammate makes, but the question is always how you react. For me it's important to get that message across right from the start. As far as whether we speak German or English is concerned, I asked the team what they prefer. We keep switching between the two and always find a solution. We've agreed to hold the matchplay meetings in English."

Head coach Alexander Blessin held several brief conversations on the pitch during the opening session, as here with winger Danel Sinani.

...additions to the squad: "I think is already good as it is, but we have to compensate for the loss of Marcel Hartel and his 30 combined goals and assists. We're discussing what our options are at the moment and something is sure to be done in this respect, though in general I've very satisfied with squad. What I saw last season covers everything I want. Quality, mentality, intensity – all the components that are important for how I want us to play."

...the choice of captain, his understudy and the players' committee: "I want to gain an impression and hold conversations the lads. The question then is whether you need to change anything. I had a long conversation with Jackson Irvine earlier that felt very good."

...the approach to the Bundesliga: "Heidenheim are a good example. What Frank Schmidt has done is outstanding. They started by picking up one point at a time and those points turned into wins. We want to throw everything at it by working hard and showing the right intensity and mentality. With the fans behind us we want to win our home games and create hell for every opposition team."

Photos: FC St. Pauli