Tony Mowbray believes his players are giving him everything and said there was no need for any anger or lengthy speech to his side after the 1-1 draw with Coventry City.

The draw with the Sky Blues ended a run of five successive defeats, but meant Rovers took just one point from a possible 18 in February heading into a tough run of March fixtures, starting with tomorrow’s game at Reading.

Mowbray says he tried contrasting approaches with his side during the six-game winless run, but said there was no need for a similar “sermon” that he delivered after the midweek defeat against Watford.

But Mowbray said he can see his side are giving their all to arrest their current slump which has left them 15th in the table.

Asked if he took a similar approach post-match as he did against Watford, Mowbray said: “No, because I see their effort, I can see their frustration. I don’t see a team that’s stopped working hard for each other.

“I think early on in this run, QPR there were things flying around the room after the first game in this run, we should never have lost it, it was a game we dominated for long, long spells, yet we lost 1-0.

“You have to weigh up your players, weigh up their temperament, whether they can take an aggressive version of unhappy from me or whether they need an arm and around them and that they’re working extraordinarily hard and I can see their effort and desire.

“It’s a fine balance, you have to know your players, know your team.”

Mowbray felt his side started slowly against the Sky Blues but grew into the game to take a 27th-minute lead through Ben Brereton’s second goal in as many games.

However, another laboured start to a half cost them as Matty James equalised five minutes after the restart.

And Mowbray says it can be difficult for players in the midst of a poor run to find the confidence levels required to play to their potential.

He added: “Football is about a balance, I say that all the time.

“I think they’re all trying hard, they all want to be successful and are working hard. But football is hard when you have the run we’ve had to play with the confidence and belief you know your best talent can give you. It’s a bit inhibiting.

“To dig yourself out of that and work as hard as they are is great credit to them.”