Derry John Murkin: Build on our good form and start with a win

Derry John Murkin on…

…the training camp:
It’s important to work hard during a training camp and we did that. Our main focus overall is the game against Braunschweig, which we’ve prepared well for.

…the mood within the team:
I feel like the mood within the dressing room is constantly improving and that we’re developing as a team overall. The atmosphere right now is the best it’s been for me personally since I’ve been at Schalke. Our squad consists of players from a number of different nations. We speak with each other a lot – as was the case at the training camp, be it after training, over a cup of coffee or while eating together.

…the importance of patterns:
Our patterns of play are really important. Everybody needs to know exactly what their teammates are going to do on the pitch and what to expect of them. In order to make sure we know all these patterns, we’ve done a lot of training on small-sided pitches.

…the aim for the second half of the season:
Our aim is to climb the table as high as we can after the winter break. A good start is really important. Although we ended the year with seven points from our final three games, which was a real positive, our start to the season was anything but ideal. We want to build on that good form and start with a win over Braunschweig.