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Training camp

02.01.18

"We need to improve our efficiency"

Upon arrival at the winter training camp in Jerez, HSV head coach Markus Gisdol spoke about what his team want to achieve in training, competition for places as well as the restart of the Bundesliga season.

The HSV coaching staff and players are currently staying at the Barcelo Montecastillo Golf & Sports Resort which looked particularly beautiful on Tuesday morning with the sun shining over the nearby training pitches. On the same morning, the Rothosen completed their first training of the new year. The players particularly focused on the counter-attack in the second half of the 90-minute long training session. “We are trying really hard to improve our game on the counter. We have not scored enough goals in this manner so far,” said Gisdol.

The 48-year old also spoke about…

… the training camp: We do not have any time to lose. The winter break was short, but the players stuck to their training schedules well. They completed all their runs and came back to Hamburg in good shape ahead of our preparations. We need to use our time here well and observe carefully how our players are getting on. All players need to prove why they should be picked for the starting eleven.

… the key aim of the training camp: We cannot focus on every small aspect of our game because we only have two weeks until the Bundesliga season restarts, but we are putting a lot of emphasis on improving our counter-attack. I think this was very clear in our first training session. We did not score enough goals in this way so we have to improve. We are also trying to improve the number of individual mistakes that we make which lead to conceding goals.

… the second half of the season: We are in a very different position compared to this time last year. The Bundesliga is a much tighter competition this year. It is going to be very difficult for every team in our position to survive this year. We are in a precarious position because we are playing good football but we are not picking up enough points. We have to make sure we improve our points tally. We need to improve our efficiency in front of goal.

… Bobby Wood’s return: Of course, it is difficult to judge his fitness levels after just one training session, but Bobby is looking generally good. I expect and demand better performances from him in the second half of the season.

… new face Patric Pfeiffer: It is extremely important to us that we continue to develop our young talents by bringing them into first team training when appropriate. Patric is one of our more attacking young defensive players and I am really pleased to have him here at the training camp. He has made a very good impression so far.