OBERTRAUN'S strength is its peace and tranquility.

Here in one of Austria's more picturesque spots, nestled in a valley lapped by the waters of Lake Hallstatt and ring-fenced by the Krippenstein and Dachstein mountains, there are no bright lights to distract the players from the task in hand.

Team bonding can never be underestimated. It can inspire individuals to greater things and drag players through the bad times.

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill knows its importance to such a small squad.

And that's precisely why he chose this gorgeous location to bring his players together for a crucial week's preparation before Burnley get down to the cut and thrust of the Championship.

"Team bonding is definitely one of the main aims of the tour because this year we've got a new team again," insisted Cotterill.

"Sometimes people think you can kick on, but it's another new team and they're all learning about each other. You can see that at the moment.

"I don't think we're cohesive when we play at the moment - maybe more on the attacking front being more specific - but hopefully that will come.

"We're still finding out about each other as people and players and I want them to understand each other, on and off the pitch.

"That's a big thing for me, because if you can do that it will lead them to work harder with each other when the're on the pitch and I think the football will follow suit."

Cotterill, whose itinerary covers dawn runs, twice-a-day training schedules, flexible free-time, white-water rafting and rigid bedtime rules, added: "We just hope they all click into place because last year the new boys were thrown in with the old boys and now the new boys have become old boys with the new lads coming in.

"The back four has been disrupted again, the midfield is completely different and up front, it almost seems like Ade is an old face here now, when he was the new kid on the block a few months ago.

"Everyone is bidding for their pecking order in the dressing room at the moment as well, because that happens.

"They are all strong characters and I think that's good. The likes of Wayne Thomas and Gifton Noel-Williams have come in and been quite vocal and you might look on the other lads and say they haven't been quite so vocal.

"But players like Garreth O'Connor, Wade Elliott and Danny Karbassiyoon are all quietly confident in their own way.

"Naturally it is going to be tough for everyone to bed in, but I think it's a credit to them how far they've all come in a short space of time and we're hoping that after this trip, it's going to be even better."