Sky Blues boss Steven Pressley made sure his players had a mini-break from football which should help them during the 2013/14 League One season...
Coventry City manager Steven Pressley believes the City players will benefit from a mini-break they had this week.
The City squad were able to enjoy three days off, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, as the side are now in the 22nd week of a 44-week season, which includes the pre-season period.
If you include pre-season matches, City have played 30 matches in just five months in a challenging League One season.
Having seen his side win 10 matches already this season, Pressley believes it was important the players got a 'well-deserved' break.
The City boss said: "It was interesting as Pete Tierney (first-team fitness coach) had calculated that we are right bang in the middle of our season, in respect of when we had the players back for pre-season.
"When we get to the end of the season, it will work out as a 44-week season. I think it was really important for everybody, players and staff, just to get away from football for three days.
"Just let the body relax and the mind relax. You have to have a point in the season when you recharge the batteries and you are ready to go again.
"Football is very taxing on everybody, especially the players, and we want them to be at their best throughout the entire season so the break, which they deserved, was important."
The Sky Blues are about face a busy Christmas period when they play Peterborough United, Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United and Bristol City in the space of 10 days.
He added: "I think they were bored of my voice to be fair so I think they needed a few days off. When you have 22 weeks of the same relentless and intense training, I think the mind and the body will want some rest.
"It's been great because they've come back and they've recharged. Several of the boys went away for a couple of days to Paris and other went home to see their family which can be crucial.
"They did exactly what I wanted them to do and that is unwind as football dominates all aspects of your life.
"They've came in and refocused immediately. I saw a really intense training session this week which shows they will be back up to the required standards on Saturday."