Ernst gees up shot-shy Beşiktaş

German midfielder Fabian Ernst hopes the visit of Manchester United FC will coincide with a return to goalscoring form for Beşiktaş JK, promising: "Once we start scoring goals, you'll see satisfying results."

Misfiring forwards
With forwards Mert Nobre, Nihat Kahveci and Bobô struggling for form and fitness, the early weeks of the season have not been kind to the Turkish champions, with Saturday's 3-0 loss to Galatasaray AŞ in the first big Istanbul derby of the autumn a particularly sharp blow. The Black Eagles have scored only three goals in five Süper Lig games.

Optimistic outlook
"Every player in the team is trying to do his best," insisted the 30-year-old, who has impressed since joining the club from FC Schalke 04 in the winter. "We are battling it out in games, even though we lost on Saturday. But I believe that in a short time we'll get better results. Once we start scoring goals, you'll see satisfying results."

European prestige
The loss to Galatasaray remains their only league defeat of the season – their other four games ended in a win and three draws – and the prestige of the occasion may bring the best out of Beşiktaş, with Ernst maintaining: "It is a great honour to compete in the Champions League. The atmosphere in the stadium tomorrow will spur us on."

'A step forward'
Ernst saw his usual midfield partner Edouard Cissé leave for Olympique de Marseille over the summer ("I miss him both as a team-mate and a friend," he confessed) but with countryman Michael Fink playing alongside him, he does not feel the team has been significantly weakened. Moreover, the arrival of €8m playmaker Rodrigo Tabata may yet pay massive dividends. "It's obvious why he is with us," said Ernst. "He is a player who can take the team a step forward."

Incredible noise
Meanwhile goalkeeper Rüstü Reçber, who will miss the game with an ear problem, said the home fans at the Inönü Stadium could prove just as decisive as any player. "They are the noisiest, most passionate fans who stay with us for 90 minutes," he said. "The noise is incredible. It'll be a new experience even for those players who think they've seen it all. Our fans can really make it hell." It is a warning not lost on his United counterpart Ben Foster, who is preparing himself for a tough evening despite the hosts' early season travails. "We know Beşiktaş haven't made a good start but we're not reading too much into this," the 26-year-old said. "We are well aware how visiting teams struggle playing in Turkey."