It's been something of an up-and-down season for Leeds United so far. After the highs of a 3-0 demolition of Chelsea at Elland Road, the Whites would have to wait over two months for their next taste of victory.
But despite that, striker Rodrigo has been in top form for them this season despite missing three weeks due to a shoulder injury sustained against Everton. The Spaniard now has nine goals this term, including five in their last four league games before the winter break.
Now head coach Jesse Marsch and the squad have taken the chance to reset properly during their training camp in Spain and improve going into what many are seeing as a proper 'second-half' of the season rather than a metaphorical one.
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The winter break has been a point of contention for many fans who have seen it as potentially halting teams with good runs of form but Rodrigo noted the Whites are using the time to prepare themselves for the tough task ahead when he spoke to the Official Leeds United Podcast earlier this week.
"Yeah, it is weird [the winter break] and of course it's a different season with the break in the middle of the season but that's what we have. I think now we have a great chance to prepare well for this second part of the season and try to correct some mistakes we've made during the first part.
"It's been a good time here so far preparing what we want for the second half of this year - especially the movement offensively and defensively, it's true that we need to work on this.
"We're trying to do that during this time here and it's also true that when we come back [to Leeds] that we'll have some time in England to keep preparing ourselves."
Just two points above the relegation zone, the Whites will undoubtedly look into the January transfer market for some squad depth as they look to climb the Premier League table with an unexpected win over Manchester City on their return later this month.
And while Marsch undoubtedly wanted his side to get away from the winter chills of Leeds and spend their break in the sun, the Spaniard confirmed it's not exactly all gone to plan weather-wise.
"Yeah, [it's been] very good spending a lot of time out here in Spain and working really hard. We've been preparing really well during this second part of the season.
"It's true that the weather is not that good! But we are enjoying it here together with the teammates, Jesse, the staff, all the people that are here supporting us so we're doing really good.
"To be honest, the weather is not as cold as it is in Leeds but it has been raining all three days that we have been here, rainy and cloudy so it's a bit different for Spain but it's ok, it's ok."
After just four wins in their first 14 matches, the 31-year-old acknowledged that him and his teammates have taken the necessary steps to get better during their training camp and was positive ahead of their Boxing Day return.
"I think we are doing well, we are all working very hard to improve and do well in the second half of the season."
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