Praise The Players

In an article on the Football League website, Dowie said in an interview with Tony Leighton:"As a manager I've just come in and tried to put a structure in place.

"If you want to know what I've brought (to the team), you'll have to ask the lads. All I can say is that what they've brought to me is an honesty and integrity that's very refreshing in the modern game.

"The intensity of our training is very high and over the last few weeks I've asked a lot of the players, and they've given me lots. Even the lads not in the squad are showing the same commitment and attitude, so it's been a real team effort.

"We are blessed with a lot of players with good character. We haven't got lads who moan and whinge at referees, they just get on with it. They are that type of group and they help make this a great place to come to work.

"What they've done in the six games we've had to date is outstanding. Every performance has improved slowly but surely, which is very important. Their attitude and commitment has been terrific and deserves to be applauded.

"In two weeks time we go to Birmingham," he notes, "and I want to get a result. It will be a huge task, but the aim will be to get three points and then to carry on extending our unbeaten run as long as we can."