Halil goal drought purely a mental thing
07.03.2007
Though there were no new faces at training on Wednesday, one strike pairing was in a particular buoyant mood. Kevin Kuranyi and Halil Altintop are full of optimism ahead of Saturday's trip to Hannover 96.
"We're giving nothing away", said a determined Kuranyi. "Obviously we'd prefer to go into the games against Stuttgart and Bayern with a squad of fit players. Nevertheless we'll be doing our utmost to take the points off them and maintain our lead at the top."
The Schalke striker is well aware that his side first have to negotiate the hurdle that is Hannover 96 before these top-of-the-table clashes come round: "We can't afford to underestimate anyone. But we're focusing on ourselves for the time being and discussing what we did wrong and what we did right", he said, emphasising the key significance of a constructive analysis before summarising it as follows: "We can slowly start to look forward positively again."
Strike partner Halil Altintop, who in the next few matches is out to show just why Schalke signed him, is similarly motivated. For him his recent goal drought is purely a mental thing: "All I need is a success in front of goal. At the moment I'm finding it difficult to get into such a situation."
The Turkey international is hoping to end his goalless streak in Hannover on Saturday if at all possible. "I'm sure I'll score the odd important goal for Schalke in future", a defiant Altintop said.
Earlier in the week Schalke fans apologised in an open letter for the whistles directed at his brother Hamit against Hamburg on Friday, a move Halil sees as a closing of ranks as the title race enters the final straight: "It was a signal from the fans that we have to pull closer together if we want to achieve our objectives."
