Smith's clear message: Not a boss, but a team player at FC St. Pauli!

Smith's clear message: Not a boss, but a team player at FC St. Pauli!

FC St. Pauli is set for an exciting start to the season and Eric Smith is at the heart of their preparations. The 28-year-old defense chief is the second longest-serving professional in the team after Adam Dzwigala and will take over the captaincy in the early stages of the season, but without seeing himself as the “boss”. “I'm not loud and I try to support everyone in their role,” explains Smith in an interview Bild.de. Despite the absence of Jackson Irvine, who remains captain and will be present in the dressing room, it will be up to Smith to lead the team through the early challenges.

According to Smith, the mood in the team is good. “There is a strong relationship with every player,” he emphasizes. This harmony is crucial, especially considering the challenges of the next games. “We have to win the game if we approach the task seriously,” he warns, while the team keeps in mind the experiences of last season, when games against fourth division teams were unpleasant. His focus is on the first DFB Cup game against Eintracht Norderstedt.

The ideal captain

The model captain in a football team has a central influence on the team dynamic. Eric Smith knows this responsibility. He not only acts as a link between coach Alexander Blessin and his teammates, but also as a motivator. Successful captains like Manuel Neuer and Dino Zoff are role models for him, as they also know how important an intact hierarchy within the team is. “It's crucial to motivate the team, especially when you're behind,” emphasizes Smith. Soccertraining.de describes the tasks of a captain as varied: from exchanging pennants to communicating with the referee.

In addition, a good captain must be mentally resilient and keep a cool head in hectic situations. Smith wants to create an atmosphere that avoids group formation and tension between players. “The team has to stick together and everyone should be respected,” he explains. This aspect is of central importance for cooperation on the pitch.

The current season and outlook

The team has already gained some experience in the current season. After a draw against Bayer Leverkusen - the third time in a row that the team has come back from behind - this point is seen as a small success. However, Smith knows that the points tally must continue to improve in order to fully enjoy the season and its challenges. “We have to continue to develop our comeback qualities,” he demands, noting that mistakes have been learned and the performances have improved over 90 minutes.

The pressure is high before the upcoming game against Werder Bremen, who have won four games in a row. One more point could possibly be enough for early relegation if the competition makes a mistake. “We have to show the same mentality as in the last games,” is his appeal. With a relaxed and collegial atmosphere in the team, Eric Smith will do everything he can to successfully steer FC St. Pauli through this exciting phase.