After the Leeds United head coach arrived in Austria with his players on Friday evening, Thomas Christiansen spoke of the trip's importance as the Whites continue their preparations ahead of the forthcoming season.
In a brief interview with LUTV yesterday, the recently installed head coach made clear the benefits of the tour - physically and mentally.
"I’m very happy, it is really important to come away as a team and be together,” began Christiansen.
"Having the opportunity to work in a close environment, where everyone is focused on what we have to do, will help us and everyone will get to know each other better.
"The team bonding is very important, it is pre-season so we have to work hard and we need to improve things, by coming away it gives us the opportunity to do that.
"We will show the team videos, they will all have individual talks and everything that is good for the team.
In addition to championing the formation of a collective spirit among the players, the 44-year-old was anxious to impress upon observers of his side that it was difficult to select the 25-man squad for the tour. He also went on to hail the salience of physical preparation ahead of a rigorous Championship campaign that will see his side contest no less than 46 matches.
"It was difficult to select the squad to come to Austria, because we have a lot of players to choose, but I think the club is doing a good job with the signings and we need to continue with that," he continued.
"The physical conditioning is important to build over the next ten days and also for the players to recognise what I want as soon as possible.
"We have some games against good teams and that will tell us where we are.”
Finally, the head coach also spoke of his disappointment upon learning of the cancellation of a proposed meeting with Germany's FC Ingolstadt.
"It really affects us, because we only found out 48 hours before that the game was cancelled.
"You don’t have time to make any changes that late and I am very sorry for the fans who are coming to support us and see the games.
"It is not our fault that this has happened, but we will try to do something for them,” he concluded.
Leeds will continue to complete intensive training sessions in Austria ahead of their encounters with Borussia Monchengladbach and SD Eibar respectively, before completing their pre-season programme with a match against Oxford United at Elland Road on June 29.