Head coach Mixu Paatelainen hopes having a fitter Dundee United can make the team play better.
The Tangerines, who travel to face Aberdeen today, are struggling at the bottom of the Premiership and were knocked out of the League Cup by Hibs in midweek.
The Finn has chosen his words carefully when assessing the situation he has inherited at Tannadice, saying nothing to criticise the regime led by his predecessor Jackie McNamara.
However, words from striker Billy Mckay as regards the intensity of training under the new boss have left the impression that the Tangerines are working harder than they were previously.
Mckay claimed ahead of the recent match against Celtic that: “There has been a change in approach. We’re training hard.
“He (Paatelainen) has put more physical demands on the players and Wednesday was one of the toughest training sessions I’ve done since pre-season.”
That was noted by Paatelainen as he looked forward to the trip to Pittodrie.
He said: “Someone mentioned in the media that it was the hardest training they’d had (since pre-season) so it wasn’t difficult to detect that.
“But there will be much more sessions like that – we need to be fit.
“One part of staying focused and concentrating on the game comes from fitness.
“If your legs go and you are tired and you hit the wall then your head goes because you’re tired and can’t think.
“At the same time we want to have a mobile team and lots of movement so we can pass the ball.
“If your fitness goes after 60 minutes and you can’t move then you hit the down slope so fitness is everything.
“I think the players are fit enough but when I hear comments like I did then it makes me wonder.
“But I turn it into a positive because I know our fitness levels will improve and after Christmas or even springtime we could be flying in what will be a crucial period for us.”
With all that in mind, Paatelainen confirmed that it won’t be much of an international “break” for the players after the Dons game.
“Every day we will be having double sessions and working hard,” said the United boss when asked if his players will be grafting during the enforced lay-off.
“We must use this time when we don’t have a match to train and then the players can maybe relax after a week’s work.
“Then we will start working towards the next match, which is against St Johnstone.
“The training camp is serious and we practice and get organised.
“We coach players their roles and jobs within the team but they aren’t robots and they need to have what I call a mental holiday within the session.
“Some days must be lighter in terms of serious work than others but in the long run you want to make sure everyone picks up something how they can play better in the next match.
“The boys have been putting plenty of effort in.
“I have always said this and it is a fact that the attitude from the players is very good. That gives us a chance.
“When it comes to listening and taking information on they are bang on.
“When it comes to applying themselves in the hard sessions and going through the pain barrier they are as good as anybody.
“So I have no problem with that. This is a great squad to work with.”
Paatelainen has been pretty loyal to his players and named an unchanged side for the midweek 3-0 loss to Hibs in the League Cup following last Saturday’s win over Ross County in the league.
That looks likely to change this afternoon.
Paatelainen said: “I’m getting to know the players quite well.
“I know the attributes they have and what positions they can play in.
“I’m tempted to change things this weekend. We’ve had two matches already this week and this game comes soon after Wednesday.
“I’ve heard people say we have a big squad but I don’t think so and our injury list is long.
“When you look at the squad we have there are loads of youth team players and I don’t think they’re ready for first team action.
“When I look at the fit players the first team squad isn’t that big so it’s impossible to make big changes.
“In certain positions we are really limited in what we can do.
“Our options to change the team around are limited with some positions worse than others.”