IT is never nice to go into an international weekend on the back of a defeat, but we have made the most of the break and are in good shape as we prepare for the game with Inverness Caley Thistle this weekend.

We gave the boys a wee bit of time off after the 2-0 loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie, but we have worked really hard this week and are determined to bounce back on Saturday.

After a defeat or a win, you always look at things and look at ways you can improve. The first week was a bit more relaxed as we looked to get everyone's spirits back up and now we are looking forward to the game with Caley Thistle.

The players have trained hard and things are back to normal after what was a disappointing game at Aberdeen. The boys have recharged the batteries and arearing to go.

Having the break has allowed the new players a chance to blend into the squad as well. We signed Jake Carroll just before the Aberdeen game and Nathan Eccleston came in on deadline day.

It is important that players settle into a new club as quickly as possible and that is not something we have had a problem with here.

We have got a really good group and everyone comes in and feels at home.

Whenever new players arrive, the lads make them feel welcome and that allows them to get off and running. It is a lot easier to perform on the pitch when you are feeling good off it.

The Thistle fans got their first chance to see Jake in the game up at Aberdeen, but they haven't had a chance to see Nathan in action yet.

I think he will prove to be another good signing for us. At the end of the day, Nathan has got to want do it for himself and I am sure he will.

He has come up here hungry to get going. He realises time passes quickly in football and you have to make the most of your career.

He gives us something a bit different up front. He scored for the Under-20s in their win over St Johnstone last week and that will stand him in good stead.

He is a bit behind the rest of the boys in terms of his fitness because of his situation over the summer.

HIs fitness will come and the important thing for us is not to rush him too quickly.

We will build him up and I am sure the fans are eager to see what he can do.

He is a player we were aware of and his name was mentioned to us a few times so we were pleased to get him in on the last day of the window.

He arrives with a good pedigree and experience in England, like Dan Seabourne and Abdul Osman, and I am sure he will score goals for us.

We are pleased with how all the new signings have done so far and it is good to see them hitting the ground running.

They have settled in and are playing well. Hopefully they can put in another good performance this weekend and we can get our second home win of the season.