Evaluating United’s pre-season training base in Austria, Paddy Madden stressed the past week has been a tough but beneficial period for the squad.
After a good runout against local non-league side Stamford AFC in the club’s first friendly fixture of the summer, Graham Alexander’s men headed to overseas as part of their preparation for the new campaign.
Whilst admitting the trip has been intense, Madden hopes to reap the rewards going forward.
He told The Iron PlayerHD: “It’s been a tough week and obviously a little bit of something we’re not used to.
“We’ve had a lot of early morning starts which I wouldn’t be used to myself but it’s all good for you and gets your endurance up.
“It’s been a very hard week but it will benefit us in the long run.
“The weather has made things a little difficult but we’ve just got on with it and all the boys have worked really well.”
After enjoying glorious sunshine in the opening couple of days of the visit, things took a slight turn for the worse as heavy rainfall began to disrupt plans somewhat.
The Iron’s match against Gschwandt came to a premature end as the heavens opened but striker Madden stressed the players were still put through their paces despite the abandonment.
“After the first couple of days, I thought we were going to be going home with a nice sun tan,” he continued.
“Since then however, it hasn’t stopped raining but that’s just the country we’re in.
“It’s sunny one minute and raining the next, a bit like England really.
“We were obviously disappointed the game got abandoned but the gaffer put us through our paces the day after so we caught up on the work we missed out on.”
Last year’s top goal scorer will be hoping to lead from the front once more when the 2016-17 season comes around next month as United look to build on their 7th placed finish.
Admitting that he can’t wait to get stuck into the new campaign, the Dubliner explained he’s beginning to feel up to scratch with the Bristol Rovers curtain raiser looming.
He added: “I’m feeling sharp.
“The gaffer has put on some great training sessions for us over here to get our fitness up and the lads are benefiting from it.
“All the squad are looking very sharp and we’re at that stage now where we just want the season to start.”
See the full interview from Paddy Madden, along with much more content on The Iron PlayerHD.