"We could have won the game"

"With a little more luck we could have won the game, sadly it didn’t happen", said Pablo Thiam after the Wolves unluckily exited the FA Cup on penalties against Werder Bremen. The Wolves skipper saw positive aspects despite the defeat: "I haven’t seen a Wolves side play like that for a long time. If we can carry on like that, success will come to the club", said Thiam, in the latest feature of Captain’s Corner.

"We must look forward."

Thiam also talks about youngster Christopher Lamprecht and double goal scorer Steve Marlet, as well as the desperately unlucky Peter Van der Heyden, who is seriously injured yet again. With only three days to go until the game against Duisburg, the Wolves skipper is fully concentrated on Bundesliga matters: "We must put the cup game behind us and recover. We will need all of our concentration for the game against Duisburg."

vfl-wolfsburg.de: Pablo, the Wolves unluckily lost in Bremen. How great is the disappointment and how great the pride in such a good performance, especially when one considers the kind of selection problems facing coach Holger Fach?

Pablo Thiam: Of course we are disappointed, but we put in a convincing team performance, displaying character and battling qualities. With a little more luck we could have won the game, sadly it didn’t happen. I haven’t seen a Wolves side play like that for a long time. If we can carry on like that, success will come to the club. There were positive aspects to take home with us from Bremen.

You took the responsibility as a captain of taking a penalty during the shoot out, but sadly missed the target. What was going through your mind at that moment you put the ball on the penalty spot?

Pablo Thiam: I had a clear mind; you don’t let thoughts distract you before you take a penalty. After the first five penalties had been taken, I wanted to take responsibility and do my bit, sadly I missed.

One player from Tuesday’s match can be proud of himself despite the defeat, Christopher Lamprecht. Ho do you rate the youngster’s performance in Bremen, and what is he like as a person?

Pablo Thiam: Christopher slotted in well and worked well as a team member, I take my hat off to him. He was exhausted after 90 minutes but gritted his teeth and played extra time as well. He took his chance well and is surely an alternative for our coach. It underlines the good work being done at youth level at the club.

Has Steve Marlet finally made the breakthrough at the club through his brace of goals, or does he still need more time?

Pablo Thiam: No, Steve is an experienced pro who has played at international level. It is always difficult to find your way in a new team. He is in top form now, as his recent performances in training have proved.

The unluckiest player at the club has to be the Belgian defender Van der Heyden, who only managed to play two games before picking up another serious injury. How is he taking that cruel blow?

Pablo Thiam: He is taking it with humour; still it is very bitter for him. He came back well against Hamburg and Schalke. He was one of our strongest players in those matches. He will be back; we see him every day and try to encourage him. Our medical team will do everything possible to get Peter fit again as soon as possible. Peter is a nice guy and is an integral part of our plans.

The third match within seven days is on the agenda on Saturday, as the Wolves travel to face lowly Duisburg in round 11 of the Bundesliga, how are the Wolves preparing for the match?

Pablo Thiam: We must putt he cup game behind us and recover. We will need all of our concentration for the game against Duisburg. Duisburg will not be in the mood to give us any presents. We must avoidmaking the mistake of thinking that we only have to turn up and take the points with us because we are playing well at the moment.

What will the Wolves have to do in order to take maximum points home with them from Duisburg?

Pablo Thiam: We have to play a little more courageously than we did in Bremen, and force our game upon Duisburg. We must play to our strengths, that way we can win the match.

Thanks very much Pablo, and good luck in Duisburg!