Even though they will be braving the cold like the rest of us over the next week, Dundee will treat it as a “training camp”.
While the likes of Hearts and Hibs have flown off to warmer locations, Tony Docherty’s men will remain in the City of Discovery, based at their Dundee and Angus College, Gardyne Campus training base.
Just because they haven’t flown off to some distant location, it doesn’t mean they will treat the next seven days any less seriously before their January 20 Scottish Cup tie versus Kilmarnock – a rematch of the remarkable recent 2-2 draw at Rugby Park.
After all, that match kicks off a busy schedule, always the case going into the back half of January.
“I want to get into the players’ minds that we’re in a kind of training camp and get them into that mindset,” Docherty told Courier Sport.
“When we get out of this programme, it’s very much going to be game, recovery, game, recovery.
“We had a good day on Thursday, they did a double session. I want them to get as much from this ‘training camp’ as they can.”
The next seven days will involve topping up the fitness after some time off, though it falls well short of what is required during pre-season, along with some tactical work.
Over the next week, the Dundee players will play two 11v11 matches against each other and there will be a bounce game versus Raith Rovers on Tuesday.
Rickie Lamie is nearing his comeback, having returned to training on Friday and areas of the squad to strengthen have been identified.
One player on the club’s radar is Scotland under-21 striker Michael Mellon after a scoring streak for Morecambe, on loan from Burnley.
Winter break benefits
Two engagements and a new-born have been announced among the squad during the winter break, which was effectively extended for the Dark Blues by the postponement of their clash with St Johnstone on January 2.
And the fixture hiatus is something the Dee’s manager is a fan of.
“I think that it’s important going into this really busy period that they get themselves refreshed and ready to go full pelt now we’re back,” he said.
“When I saw the players coming back on Thursday, they seemed a really refreshed, hungry group, ready to go again.”
It also gives, added Docherty, a natural point at which to assess the season’s aims and ambitions after an impressive start for a newly promoted side.
Tony Docherty: We haven’t reassessed aims
“We haven’t reassessed our aims,” added Docherty. “It’ll always be the same.
“We’ve made sure as a group that we’re very balanced in what we’re looking for.
“We know as the newly promoted team our main objective, and always our main objective, will be to retain that Premiership status.
“We’re pleased. We also think there’s a lot of room for improvement and a lot of points that could have been picked up – and points are still there to be picked up, particularly the two recently postponed games.
“It’s something that’s a particular bugbear of mine, being that they were home games.
“There’s still room for improvement and I think that the squad are very aware of that.
“Myself and the staff are very much promoting that. Every day we come into the building we’re improving as individuals.
“I hope we can continue to show the level of consistency we’ve shown and the levels of improvement that we’ve shown.”
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