WE have made the most of our free weekend by taking the boys down to Manchester for a few days this week.

It is always good to get away as a group and I am confident that it will stand us in good stead for not only the Hibs game next Saturday but for the rest of the season.

It mixes things up a bit and allows us all to relax but we have got really good training facilities here at Mottram Hall and we are still putting the boys through their paces.

As I have said before, the team spirit in the squad is excellent, all the boys get along, but it is always nice to have a bit of team bonding and this is a chance for them to get away from the hustle and bustle.

It is a really big few weeks coming up for everyone at the club as we look to maintain our place in the Premiership this season.

It is important to be mentally right as well as physically fit if you want to play at your best.

The remaining games will be like cup finals for us, every point will be crucial and we are doing everything we can to make sure we are in the best possible shape to succeed.

It is nice for the players to chill out for a bit but the hard work doesn't stop for myself and Archie as we now have to keep an eye on them all the time and make sure they are behaving!

There has been some good banter going about and everyone is in good spirits. They are a lively bunch and everyone is enjoying themselves.

We picked up four points from our last two games against Aberdeen and Ross County before the break and having these free weekends can work for you or against you.

Sometimes you want to keep kicking on, but it is what it is, and we have to make the most of it.

I have to say a big thank you to the board for allowing us to head down to Manchester; they are really backing Alan and myself and have been fantastic for us.

They can see what we are trying to do on the pitch and they are doing everything possible to give us the best chance of survival.

The board can see the hard work the boys are putting in and it is great that they have backed us yet again this week.

We are back up the road tomorrow and myself and Alan will go and watch Hibs play Motherwell on Saturday.

The boys will be back in on Monday and we will get another good week of training done as we gear up for the game at Firhill next weekend.