The gaffer intensified midweek training after the team suffered two league losses on the bounce,and even though he expects things to turn around as soon as possible,he reckoned it will require great effort from him and every member of the squad.

‘We don’t have a magic wand to change the situation in a few months. We must work hard together and we are doing this. We must understand that only through hard work can we close the gap.

It was disheartening to lose two big games but there is a way forward.

‘It’s never good when you lose two games,’ he said. ‘But I also think in these two games we learnt a lot of important things and we must work very hard to recover.I think we faced two very strong teams who are at the top and we have a lot to improve.’

Now focus shifts to tomorrow's visit to Hull who likely the blues have not won any of the last three games.

'Now, with great work and hard work we are trying to sort the situation; me, the players and the club together'

A win would be a great way to sign off ahead of October's international break.