Only two months ago most had FC Augsburg pegged to go down. The club picked up just nine points and one win in their first 17 games this season. Going into the winter break, they had not won in 10 games and were ten points off safety. Fast forward two months and Augsburg have picked up points in all but one of their matches in 2013. Following their win against Hoffenheim last week, they moved out of the automatic relegation spot and have been one of the better performers in the second half of the season.
Of course, there is a long way to go in the season and Augsburg still have some work to do to ensure they spend another year in the Bundesliga, but their strong performances indicate that there is every reason to believe they could pull off a quite remarkable comeback. There is a renewed team spirit and determination about Augsburg since the winter break, as one of their new winter signings, American international Michael Parkhurst, told the Bundesliga Fanatic in an exclusive interview.
"I think the team spirit, fight and determination has been the back bone," said the 29-year-old defender. "Some of the games have not been the prettiest but we do not care. We need points and will take them however they come. We fight every minute and have competed well thus far. If we continue to do so, it could be another special half of a season." Indeed, only five teams have performed better in the new year than Augsburg and last season the team faced a similar uphill battle only to bounce back in impressive fashion in the second half of the season to beat the drop.
That renewed determination and will to win has been a real trademark in their performances since the turn of the year. Slowly but surely, coach Markus Weinzierl has galvanized his players and made Augsburg a really difficult team to beat. The new vigor and exuberance combined with smart transfers like Dong-Won Ji, Andre Han and Parkhurst has seen a real upturn not only in performance but most importantly, in results. That is something that immediately made an impact on Parkhurst when he arrived at the club, "My impression was that there is quality and fight here so that means we have a chance to survive. Also there was a positive atitiude within the the locker room."
Michael Parkhurst against Chelsea's Eden Hazard in the Champions League this season. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Parkhurst, who came to Augsburg from Danish side Nordsjælland, is one of several American internationals now playing in the Bundesliga. After winning the Danish title for the first time in club history with Nordsjælland in the 2011/12 season and qualifying for the Champions League, he was attracted to the Bundesliga for its great competitiveness and growing quality, "The attraction to the Bundesliga has always been there. It's been one of the top leagues in the world for many years now and its getting even better. The quality of players, atmospheres in the stadiums and coverage of the league worldwide is what makes this league fantastic."
It's a move he has embraced with open arms. Not many players would so readily accept going from playing in the Champions League against the likes of Juventus and Chelsea to the challenges of a relegation dogfight. The Providence, Rhode Island native is settling in well though and adjusting to his new home in Augsburg, "It will take some time to get more accustomed to the language and culture. Every country has their differences but so far the people in Germany seem to be quite friendly and open. My family and I are learning the language but of course it will take some time."
On the field, Augsburg will benefit from a very experienced and versatile player. The team has had their fair share of injury problems this year and one of the reasons Parkhurst was brought over by the club was their need for cover at right back, a position that has seen six different players used so far this season in the wake of captain and first-choice right-back Paul Verhaegh's long term injury. Although Parkhurst has played at center-back for the majority of his career, he grew into the right-back role in Denmark and established himself as one of the better players in that position in the Danish Superliga last season, a position he himself feels he excels in most now.
"I feel most comfortable at right-back. That is where I have been playing primarily for the past two years and where I enjoy playing the most on the field. Although I can provide some cover elsewhere on the pitch, right-back is my best position," Parkhurst told the Fanatic. As a player, Parkhurst is quick and has a great touch and is reminiscent of another American who established himself as one of the most consistent right-backs in the league over the years, Hannover's Steve Cherundolo.
With the relegation battle sure to heat up in the coming weeks, expect to see more of Michael Parkhurst whose experience and ability on the right is exactly what the club will need. If Augsburg do manage to avoid the drop again, it will be one of the most memorable comebacks in recent Bundesliga memory, the kind of spirited comeback that the team is becoming quite renowned for.
More Info: WAC Sankt Andrä - Red Bull Salzburg [Live Football]
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