Wouter Vrancken hopes his Hearts players enjoyed the calm of the international break before the storm of a gruelling nine-game run within the space of a month.
The Jambos return to action in Saturday's Premiership visit of St Mirren and are looking to pick up momentum after collecting one point from their last two games.
Demanding schedule ahead
The clash with the Buddies marks the start of an exhausting spell that will see Vrancken's side also face Nordsjaelland, Celtic, Trabzonspor, Motherwell, Rangers, Hibs, Thun and Falkirk across domestic and European action.
After having three weeks off, the Belgian is relishing having to negotiate some huge games - including a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Hibs - in such a short space of time.
He said: "There were a few good things about the break.
"It was more about giving the players some mental rest rather than continuing to push more information into them and it was beneficial for them to switch off mentally from tactical things.
"Now it is about pushing each other again. We have nine games in around four weeks so it will be a demanding schedule.
"We already experienced that from the end of July through to September and we know what is coming.
"We have to go into it with strong belief because there are a lot of big games ahead.
"St Mirren have made a very good start to the season and have played well so coming back from the break that is already a very good game for us.
"Then there is Nordsjaelland, Celtic, Trabzonspor with Mo Salah, Motherwell, Rangers and the semi-finals. They are all big games.
"We have to be at our top level every time and push ourselves again as we did at the beginning of the season but hopefully with more confidence in what we are doing."
Managing injuries and fatigue
Vrancken knows the next 30 days will test his squad's capabilities as he wrestles with an injury list that includes long-term absentees Craig Halkett, Blair Spittal and Tom Renaud.
The middle of the park is stretched when it comes to personnel but Vrancken has confidence in his players to produce the goods when needed.
He added: "It is all about managing minutes, players and fatigue. It will be the same thing during this period.
"Players only look at the next game but we have to look at the whole picture.
"Going into these games, every week will be about adapting, speaking with players, assessing fatigue, monitoring minor injuries and determining whether players are able to play.
"At the same time, we have to keep pushing without excuses and continue trying to get results.
"We look at what is possible, who is fit and who is available because there are a lot of big games coming up."
Scouting opponents during the break
While Vrancken's focus this week has solely been on setting up his team to face St Mirren, the former Sint-Truiden and Genk boss admits he also used the international break to study their upcoming opponents.
He added: "We try to get ahead during a break like this.
"I have already looked at Celtic and some of the domestic opponents.
"I also watched a few Nordsjaelland games and a few Trabzonspor games because it is useful to have an understanding in the back of your mind of what those teams are doing.
"Trabzonspor are more difficult because they have only played one game under their new coach.
"Because we had three weeks we were able to do that work at the beginning of the break.
"Over the last week and a half though the focus has been fully on St Mirren."
Vrancken, meanwhile, was delighted Josh McPake shone on his Scotland debut after being the only positive in Tuesday's Nations League defeat to Slovenia.
The winger, who has been in a rich vein of form at club level, looked lively when he came on in the 72nd minute for Ryan Christie at Hampden.
Vrancken added: "It was good that he could show himself.
"It also showed that he can bring something extra when he gets more minutes on the pitch.
"For him personally it was good that he made an impact and was able to show his qualities.
"Hopefully those minutes have given him confidence and he can bring that confidence back here.
"We cannot rely on the national team to do that for us, and we do not invest our energy into what happens there.
"But hopefully he gained confidence from those minutes and has brought that back into our environment."
