Is Mirko Slomka the answer for HSV?

It has been a tough season for Hamburg SV – the only German club never to have been relegated from the top flight. Der Dinosaurier, or The Dinosaur, currently sit third from bottom in the Bundesliga table, a point clear of automatic relegation. However, a change in personnel may look to be the answer for the troubled club.

Former Hannover 96 boss Mirko Slomka was handed the job at HSV in the wake of Bert van Marwijk's sacking only last week. His first test as manager was a tie at home to Borussia Dortmund, a difficult task on paper, though Jurgen Klopp's side has, so far this season, failed to hit the highs that recent BvB teams have. However this is largely due to continuing defensive injuries.

These defensive injuries led to another disappointing display from BvB on Saturday, as HSV put three unanswered goals past stalwart Roman Weidenfeller. Nothing should be taken away from HSV however, they looked a completely rejuvenated side, even without captain Rafael van der Vaart.

Last weekend's victory over third placed BvB now leaves one question – can Slomka save HSV from the drop? It's a tough ask for the 46 year old but it is the very reason he was given the gig at HSV in the first place.

The victory over Borussia Dortmund is certainly a stepping stone for Slomka's new club, a glimmer of hope for fans of the Imtech Arena outfit. But there is still a long way to go in guaranteeing a place in next year's Bundesliga competition, meaning there is little room for error.

HSV's next five games are all against clubs hovering in and around the relegation zone, the first of which is a short trip to Bremen in the Nordderby. Werder Bremen themselves defeated HSV 2-0 at the Imtech Arena when the clubs met earlier in the season and lie three points ahead of Slomka's team in the table, therefore at this point in time that match has arguably been the difference maker between the two.

Mirko Slomka will probably look to gain maximum points from these games, especially considering HSV will face Bayern Munich at home on the penultimate day of the 2013-14 calender, a game which could ultimately decide their fate if they struggle in the upcoming games against their relegation rivals.

To win these games, HSV will need the experienced van der Vaart, who is expected to miss Saturday's encounter in Bremen, to lead the front line for the remainder of the season and to spur on youngsters Hakan Calhanoglu and Pierre-Michel Lassoga, on loan from Hertha BSC. Indeed, Calhanoglu and Lassoga have been the best of a bad bunch at HSV this season, scoring 17 goals between them, another sign of hope for the club.

Even with an attack firing on all cylinders, HSV will need to plug holes at the back to mend a defence which has leaked 51 goals in 22 league matches this season. A clean sheet against BvB could prove to be a confidence booster for the squad, even if Die Borussen didn't provide much in way of attack. The return of veteran goalkeeper Rene Adler can only be another positive for HSV also.

Provided they can keep defeats to a minimum, particularly in the next five games, survival should all but be in the bag for HSV. If not, they may well find themselves playing inner-city derbies against St. Pauli in the 2. Liga next season. Nevertheless, Saturday's victory may very well prove to be the turning point in what has been a season to forget for The Dinosaur.