After the 2-2 friendly draw against St. Gallen, Ole Werner took questions from the media and gave his verdict on SVW's training camp. Having travelled to Murcia in Spain on Monday (02.01), the team will make the journey back home this Monday (09.01). Werner spoke to the assembled journalists about…
…the training camp: “There were things that were good – above all, the work on the pitch. There were also things that we can do better. Honestly, I didn’t think that the training ground was brilliant, but that didn’t hinder our work too much.”
…an evaluation of their work: “It is positive to emphasise how the boys worked on the pitch. We have been able to clarify a few things how we start games. We had actually planned to play 2x60 minute halves against St. Gallen, but that was not possible due to the personnel situation. This would then also be noticeable in the quality of a game like that or on the training pitch.”
In terms of way of playing, we are on the right track. We now have to hope that we get players back here or there.Ole Werner
…the remaining to-dos: “Now, it is all about gaining match fitness. The game against Schalke will be brilliant for that because it is of Bundesliga level. In terms of way of playing, we are on the right track. We now have to hope that we get players back here or there.”
…the competition for places: “It is always a question of how it works. It is about the players that are on the pitch. They have offered relatively little of a target for things to change. We hope that it will continue to go well. We don’t have an enormous squad. We have a few boys who have not played much in the Bundesliga. It is not the case with us that all outfield players are fighting to be in the starting eleven immediately. We have too many boys who still have to a lot to learn for that to be the case. There are positions, however, where is it very tight, such as in central defence or the six or eight position.”
…planning in case there is a long-term injury: “We don’t know what happened with Romano. It could also be the case that he is back on the pitch in a week. We will wait and see what happens at the beginning of the week. Currently, we don’t have to consider it again.”
…alternative player options: “That is the continuing work of the scouting department. We are looking at players in every position. However, there is nothing concrete where I have to think about right now. If one of these players is on the market, we have to then concern ourselves with it. You never know what will happen. That is normal when the transfer window opens. Scenarios can always occur, but at the moment there is nothing happening either with incomings or outgoings.”
Lots of the boys did well, but there is not one that really stood out.Ole Werner
…a winner from the training camp: “You can see from a game like this that some of these players still have a lot to learn. If certain players are not on the pitch, then it gets very difficult for us. Lots of the boys did well, but there is not one that really stood out.”
…Oliver Burke: "He did well today. He has to work on certain things and be consistent. We have spoken to him about what his strengths are and what he has to bring to the table. He has qualities that we wouldn’t otherwise have in the team, which have also already won us points. To a certain extent, it is up to him how much playing time he gets.”
Jens Stage: “Jens has been out time and time again during the training camp – which was not ideal for him. He made a good impression in the friendly against St. Gallen. He was better in his position than in large parts of the first half of the season. This is what he needs to work on: Having clarity in his game and in his role. We are working on that with him. With Jens, similarly to with Burke, he brings something to our game that we otherwise wouldn’t have.”
…Fabio Chiarodia: “He is very advanced for 17 years old. He is a young player that still has to take steps to progress. He has played his first games in the Bundesliga and in the DFB Pokal – everything else is development. Fabio learns very quickly. Everyone wants to progress, it is very clear in your head. He could still play for the U19s for another couple of years, which helps us with player registration.”
…the coming days: “We are flying back tomorrow [Monday], then have a day off before training twice on Wednesday. After that, it is a relatively normal training week. We are finished with the topic we had in the break.”
