Mark Robins has seen a massive change in the mood around Stoke City

Mark Robins has been vitalised by a new togetherness with supporters as he tries to make sure his Stoke City side becomes the team he thinks it can be.

Robins could tell from the reaction through a rollercoaster clash with Middlesbrough that the home crowd at the bet365 Stadium understood the effort and potential of his players – just as he could with a massive away following at Bolton last weekend.

Stoke ended up on the wrong side of a five-goal bruiser but the manager has optimism in what is to come from his new-look squad.

“It was brilliant,” he said about the backing from supporters. “The fans have been brilliant. That’s one of the biggest things. They can see it, they can see the potential, they can see the endeavour. They’re trying, they’re having a go.

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“We’ve not got it right all the time on the night and there is a frustration but I’ve got to say I’m proud of the way they’ve had a go.

“I’m proud of the way we played with 10 men on Saturday, I’m proud of the way they’ve tried to nullify a really good team in Middlesbrough and just come out on the wrong side of the result.

“I honestly think that if we can learn from that... Obviously the feeling is not great after a game like that but to learn from it and when the sting has gone out of the result, you can look at what we did well and what we didn’t do well.

“For me, it’s the mindset. Stick your chest out, be proud and don’t stop grafting. Don’t stop grafting. Don’t stop being brave in and out of possession. If we get that then we’ve got a lot of talent in the squad, which is not something I could have said all the time.”

Stoke had gone into Tuesday night’s game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run but knowing it would be a test against one of the hottest tips for promotion.

Robins, who is now preparing for a trip to Derby County on Saturday, said: “Middlesbrough are a really tricky opponent to play. You play on a Saturday with 10 men and then you can’t do the work you need to do on the grass. This game and the way they play needed a week’s work into it and you don’t get it. It’s difficult. That’s not an excuse. There are so many details that you have to give the players around a team like Middlesbrough.

“It’s good that we’ve seen it and felt it and then you can look at them and do better against them next time and also take bits of it into your own game.”