FC St. Pauli

Dapo Afolayan on…

...his first few weeks at FC St. Pauli: "I'm really enjoying being here, it's been amazing so far. I'm really enjoying playing with the team and working with the staff and I’m enjoying the city as well. When I got here, I knew there was quality in the team and in the squad and I knew everything that the coach wants us to do. As a coach, Fabian has been fantastic for me so far, I can only speak positively of him. I think we have a good chance of picking up some good results in the second half of the season. Things are going very well for us at the moment, but we're not satisfied yet and want to keep pushing on."

...coming from behind to win at Magdeburg: "It was really important for us as a group because we're a new group with lots of new players. We showed our character and the depth we have in the squad to be able to turn that round, especially at a tough place."

...his decision to focus on school rather than go to the Chelsea academy: "The Chelsea academy was a long way from where I was living at the time. We lived on the other side of London. Education is always important to my family and to me as well. One thing no one can take from you is your education and that's why it was important for me to stay in school, but I always felt I had the ability to play professionally somewhere. I could see there were 92 professional clubs in England and lots more worldwide and I always backed my ability to make it. I was studying civil engineering at university as well but I'm taking a break at the moment. I've always said I might go back in the future because there's always a career after football."

...his decision to join FC St. Pauli: "I did my research on the club and the league and everything the club stands for. I'm a big believer in working hard and I think the fans are like that as well and really value hard work on the pitch. I've always wanted to play in Europe and so when this opportunity came it was really hard for me to turn down."

...the differences between Bundesliga 2 and League One in England: "Technically, the level here is extremely high. It's a top league in Europe. I liken it to my time at West Ham, the difference isn't massive. I do watch a lot of football and study it and I speak to my friends about it a lot. I'm really enjoying the level and the step up. There are some massive clubs at this level - including us."

...his pace and getting fouled all the time: "I'm used to it. Last season I was the most fouled player in the league in England as well. It's part and parcel of the game and I like to use my pace to entice my opponents and get past them. If they foul me, they foul me - I have to get up and carry on and keep doing well to help the team. I think one thing that helps me is that I've played all over the world and at different levels."

...forthcoming opponents Hansa Rostock: "I've already heard a lot about the explosive nature of this fixture. I'm looking forward to the game and especially the atmosphere in the stadium. It's a special game for the fans and for us as well. The atmosphere's been amazing  in the first two home games I've had. Playing in front of our fans is really special for me. I'm a big football fan myself, so the support I've had from the fans is really special and I want to repay them on the pitch."

Photos: FC St. Pauli