Tony Mowbray has gone from under-fire with some supporters to the prospect of a manager of the month nomination for November after three wins in the space of a week.

The victory at Stoke City was their third in seven days, after overcoming Brentford and Barnsley, and fourth in five games, to move them in to the top half of the division.

Mowbray has maintained faith in his squad, even despite their inconsistent opening to the season, and has tried to keep spirits high at the club’s Brockhall training base even during a run that saw them win just once in eight matches. 

But the manager says that is made easier by the characteristics of the players, and staff.

“It’s difficult, the manager has to lead,” said Mowbray, who admitted the mood in the camp hasn’t changed in the last week.

“I have to understand that I can’t go around being grumpy, I can be a bit more sharp with people at times, but the manager’s job is to lead and set the example, make sure everyone is not slacking, jobs are being done.

“I have to make sure meetings are attended, training starts on time, keep the intensity levels and that’s all you can do. I don’t have a magic wand, I don’t sprinkle magic dust over it.

“You have to keep things going, make sure people are working hard for you and have good people around the building. That’s what the manager’s job.

“Good people around the building can lift you with their mood and their tone, not be too sad, or grumpy, or disappointed, be as normal as you can and keep going.

“The players are working hard and they need to know everyone is still behind them.”