Schreuder: "We need to get our reward"

Alfred Schreuder on…

…the personnel situation: "Andrej Kramarić trained with a small group on Sunday. We hope he can train with the team next week. In addition, Ishak Belfodil and Sargis Adamyan are still unavailable. Munas Dabbur could be a contender for the starting XI. He's been back in action for slightly longer now and can play more than before."

…the opposition: "Cologne are a very strong team and they were on a real run before the enforced break. In Jhon Cordoba and Mark Uth, they have extremely high quality in attacking positions. And in Jonas Hector, they have one of the most underrated players in the Bundesliga in their squad. Markus Gisdol is doing an extremely good job. The club were down and out in the first half of the season and he's steered them away from danger."

…the problems on home turf: "Each match has its own reasons. We've already talked about that as a team. Many opponents sit a bit deeper when they come to the Arena and that's caused us some problems. But we've developed well and created chances against deep-lying opponents too. Now we need to convert our chances into goals."

…the criticism from the fans: "We're not satisfied with the results either. I think the fans are entitled to express their criticism. I understand them. But there cannot be any accusations that the team are not running enough or that they're not creating enough opportunities. For many of them it is their first season in the Bundesliga, particularly the attacking players. The lads will develop while they are with us."

…possible objectives this season: "There are three very important games coming up. Our full focus is currently on the match against Cologne. Our team is in good form and wants to show that tomorrow. We're developing well but we need to get our reward. We're focused on the basics. If we do that well, we can briefly look at the table and then keep going. Our ambition is to win every game."

Head-to-head record:

TSG have not lost to 1. FC Cologne in the Bundesliga for more than five years, with the last time a 3-2 defeat on 12 April 2015. Since then Hoffenheim have won four matches, while three games have ended in stalemate.

The opposition's form:

Markus Gisdol took over the reins at 1. FC Cologne following their 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim in the reverse fixture. The "Billy Goats" have since picked up 27 points from 16 games and risen from 17th place to 10th.

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