FSV Mainz 05 were the surprise package of 2009-10 and they have started this season in the same vein, winning their first two games in the league. Goalkeeper Christian Wetklo, a ten-year Mainz veteran, has played his part in that early success and is looking forward to the meeting with another surprise early front-runner, 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

Christian Wetklo, two wins from two games. What has been the most important factor in FSV's fine start to the season?

Christian Wetklo: The way we've worked as a team. Everyone's doing the job they're supposed to out on the pitch, and it's things we've worked on in training. The coach has a specially tailored plan for every opponent we face.

On Matchday 1 you saved a penalty against Stuttgart when the game was still scoreless. That was without doubt a key moment in the contest. Was it also a turning point for you personally?

Wetklo: I was happy I could help the team out in that situation. It was an important moment for the game as a whole, and obviously for me as well. After (first-choice keeper) Heinz Müller was injured, there was a public and media debate about my role. It's a debate I never understood as I've been at the club ten years and always performed well when it was asked of me, in the Bundesliga as well. So yes, it does help on a personal level as well when you send out a signal like that.

On Matchday 2, Mainz turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 win, not something you see happening all too often. Where does the team get such self-belief?

Wetklo: Our players have the necessary presence of mind to put the game plan into practice, even after suffering a setback. The way the match developed helped us as well. Pulling one back before half time was important. When we got it back to 3-2 just after the restart, we knew we were in a position to turn it around.

You've been at Mainz since 2000. You've experienced promotion twice and relegation in 2006-07. The club had a great season last time out and have started this one really well. What, for you, makes 1. FSV Mainz 05 special?

Wetklo: The club has calmly stuck to its programme and its philosophy through some critical times. It has continued to develop over the past few years, while retaining an atmosphere of openness and familiarity.

1. FC Kaiserslautern are the visitors on Matchday 3 – a real table-topping clash as it turns out. What will be decisive to the outcome of this meeting?

Wetklo: Both teams will be highly motivated. I think it will be a close, high-tempo contest. We'll get our game plan from the coach, and we'll try to implement it effectively, keeping a cool collective head despite all the passion that will be on display.

Do you think Mainz can repeat the great season they had last time around?

Wetklo: Absolutely, I see no reason why not. That said, we're not targetting any particular points total or final place in the table.