Steve Cotterill met with the press ahead of this weekend's trip to Charlton.
Town travel to The Valley on Saturday having not played for a fortnight due to last weekend's game against Bristol Rovers being postponed.
This weekend's fixture, though, kick-starts a frantic end-of-season run-in that sees us play nine games in just 37 days.
Speaking ahead of the trip to London, Steve revealed he gave his players some time off last week so they could have some time with their families.
The boss also gave a fitness update on Tom Bayliss who recently underwent surgery on his ankle.
And Steve also said how pleased he was to see Killian Phillips return from a concussion injury to feature for the Republic of Ireland's under-21s last weekend.
ON THE PAST FORTNIGHT WITHOUT A GAME:
"It’s been good. I think we’re refreshed. We've had a really good week this week.
"We’ll finish it off tomorrow with the final bit of our prep for Charlton. But it's been a really good week.
"It's funny because at the time, you're really disappointed to have the game called off.
'But I’m hoping, obviously, that we benefit from it because they've looked really good in training this week, really sharp and really refreshed.
"At the back end of last week, the players had Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.
"It was a good opportunity for a few of them to go and see their family.
"Carl Winchester was able to go home. Robert Street, Christian Saydee and Taylor Moore as well.
"It was quite important for a few of them to have a break. Sometimes you don’t realise it, but I do think it was good for us to have a little bit of a break."
ON THE PLAYERS WHOSE FAMILIES LIVE AWAY:
"That is a problem and they do have to stay up here.
“We do have to monitor that. When you're a young man and you're living in London, you live at home with your parents - they're that young these boys.
"I think that it was good for them to go home and see their parents at the weekend and actually enjoy a little bit of time with their family with no pressure of football – because there will be enough of that in the next month!"
ON FACING NINE GAMES IN 37 DAYS:
"That is why we gave them Friday, Saturday and Sunday off at the back end of last week.
"It gave them another night at home in their beds, seeing their mums, dads, brothers and sisters.
"I thought that was really important and they have looked really good this week, really, really good.
"It’s been a busy season anyway when you look back at it.
"We had a little bit of an FA Cup run, you have the Papa John’s Trophy games at the beginning of the season. So there isn't too much of a break anyway.
"I think it was important to have that break and hopefully we can take what we've done in training this week into the game.
"It’s obviously always different but they have trained very, very, well this week. They have been sharp.
"We always send them away with a message telling them to look after themselves and to not overindulgence in anything they eat or drink."
ON KILLIAN PLAYING FOR IRELAND:
"It was really good. When you’re a big lad, sometimes that first game back is hard work for them.
"It's funny because Killian had a little bit of a break, then Killian had to do a little bit of work and the other boys had a break.
"All-in-all I think it’s worked out quite well. He has had a good couple of days with us. We are really pleased with him and pleased for him because he played well in the game as well."
ON TOM BAYLISS:
“He has had his surgery, he is all good.
"Everything went well with the operation and he will probably be in on Monday, but he has got to keep his ankle rested for a couple of days.
"He's on crutches but the operation went really well. The surgeon is very happy with that and come Monday we'll get him in the gym.
"He will be in on Monday with all the lads, just like Dan (Udoh) and George (Nurse).
“The only time he can't be with us is being one to 11 on the pitch.
"We've accepted that, it is disappointing we know, picking up such an innocuous injury, going down a pothole in your own stadium with nobody near him. That is the worse part about it really, that is the annoying part.
"But he'll be with us and we've now got a good five and a half weeks of good rehab with him before the summer comes around.
“He will be well on the road to recovery by the end of the season.”
ON CHARLTON:
"We’ve got over 500 fans going, we have a good following wherever we go but it’s funny because we had quite a few go down there last year.
"Maybe they are having a weekend in London – which will be expensive!
"But we are looking forward to the game. I think Charlton have got some good players. I know Dean Holden (manager), so I will be looking forward to seeing him.
"There are quite a few people down there I know, I know Peter Storrie the CEO very well.
"And a couple of people on their staff that I have come across over the years so, I’m looking forward to seeing them. Jason Pearce (academy coach) is down there, I’ve got a good few friends down at Charlton."
