Stoke City boss Mark Robins believes supporters are seeing positive signs from his team, built on an improved culture at the club.

The Potters are eighth in the Championship table with Tuesday's 3-2 defeat by Middlesbrough ending a six-game unbeaten run.

"There is so much to like and so much to be excited about. It's not just me saying that, you see that and the supporters are reflecting that and that's a real positive." Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Even in the defeat, I thought we got stronger in it and it's about belief and having that understanding we're going to be good. We're good now but we're going to be good."

Stoke lost their opening three games of the season, having been beaten in five of their final six matches last season but Robins thinks a summer of recruitment and hard work behind the scenes is paying off.

"There are things the players understand have got to be habits and that's what the supporters are seeing which bodes well," he said.

"There are so many good signs, positive signs and we've got to keep building on that.

"The culture around the place has improved. We've got a way of doing things that is acceptable, that we want to see on a daily basis and that reflects in what we do every day and you can then do that on the football pitch."