Tolgay Arslan: "All the players believe in the plan of the coach"

After beating Borussia Dortmund 1-0 and earning their first win of the season, Tolgay Arslan spoke to BILD.de about recent developments at the club.

Arslan on; recent form.

"In the last four games we have seen a strong, positive trend. On the pitch we are a different team. A force with real team spirit. To this end, we operate more compactly. Our new coach has managed to do this very well.Things will not turn for the worst as it has done in the past. We have gotten better from game to game. We are focused. If you see the fight and running in the last four games - last season we had a total of four games at this level of last season."

Arslan on; Josef Zinnbauer.

"There are various things. For example, in tactical matters. We have not been trained so intensively for ages. Everyone knows where they need to run. When I go to press, I no longer look backwards.Tactically, he gives us lots of solutions. But we have a lot of freedom on the pitch. We all believe in his idea and plan for the team. We speak only in a positive manner before games. With Rahmen at the club, Zinnbauer has an experienced assistant. If it is too relaxed in training, he is the balance in between. He's a bit of bad cop ... (laughs)."

Arslan on; the new found team spirit.

"We talk a lot with each other. Recently, when we had a team dinner, we sat for three or four hours while eating. This is something that we now want to make more frequent. With Behrami, Djourou and van der Vaart we have absolutely fantastic leading players. But it's not the case that the other boys are not allowed to say anything. All enjoy the stadium, the fans and the city. Many players knew each other before. For example, from the U21 side or Djourou and Behrami from the Swiss national team. The only unknown player was Cleber. But we joke a lot with him, his interpreter translates everything. He learns German very quickly, he feels at home here."

Arslan on; a possible new beginning with Beiersdorfer.

"Of course this does not happen overnight. There will be setbacks. But everyone sees it here, step by step uphill and what can occur at the end. Everyone wants to be part of it and go with it. This is our common goal."

Arslan on; his contract that is set to run out in 2015.

"Nobody has approached me. But HSV is my first point of contact. In the four games with the new coach there has been consistency in my games. They were good. So I have to continue playing. This is crucial. Then we can sit together in winter and see what happens. I believe that I have a lot of potential. I realize that I made a step forward. I feel good in the position."

Quotes via BILD.