Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday - Man-management skills of Tony Pulis impress Tom Lees

The recently-appointed Owls chief has been hard at work on the training ground since arriving at Middlewood – and the early indications are that Wednesday’s players are getting the message in terms of what he wants in terms of shape and organisation both with the ball and without it.

But the perceived image of the vastly-experienced manager as purely being a ‘sergeant-major’ type with a whistle in his mouth and constantly bellowing out the orders is somewhat simplistic, according to Lees.

The 30-year-old has been equally impressed by the way Pulis has dealt with his players on a day-to-day level and his man-management, which he has often not been given credit for in his successful managerial career.

Lees said: “You do not manage at the level he has without being able to manage different players and all the different attitudes and mentalities and he has seen it all before.

“He is not going to get anything that is going to surprise him or not know what to do with.

“He has been really good as a man-manager.”

For his part, Pulis is only part-way through evaluating which players and individuals he can truly trust and feels he can continue to work with in the longer term at the club.

As someone who has been with the club for six years, Lees hopes that he proves himself to be one of those who will be part of the Pulis era going forward – while being mindful that his Hillsborough deal expires in the summer.

He knows for a fact that getting the Welshman’s trust is something that must be earned.

Lees, one of 12 players who are out of contract in June, added: “I would like to stay at the club.

“If I am being honest, it is a good incentive for all of us that are out of contract to get as many appearances as we can and play as well as he can to give the manager and the club something to think about.

“You are doing that whether you have got a year or two years left. We are all in the same boat where you get judged every week and every game, so it doesn’t really change much to me.”

After displaying strength amid adversity against Reading – and not feeling sorry for themselves either after going down to 10 men – Wednesday’s fortitude is likely to again be tested at Carrow Road today when Pulis might just learn a bit more about his players.

If they show the same attitude as in mid-week, it will earn another tick in the box from Pulis.

The Owls manager said: “I had big Sam Ellis come across (on Wednesday). He is working for us and doing some scouting and what he said was that we could really take that out of the game.

“The lads really gave everything and were trying to do things for one and other and were not doing it for themselves.

“I think everyone recognises that it is going to be difficult over the next few weeks. But when you see that spirit and togetherness, it will warm the blood up and give you the opportunity and inspiration to want to keep going.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.