MATT Mills hopes Wanderers have finally found the character to start hauling themselves up the Championship table.

Saturday’s win at Birmingham City was the first in 11 attempts this season and the defender admits the pressure to turn round a poor start was starting to show.

But after Dougie Freedman made some telling changes to his side in last Tuesday night’s goalless draw at Blackpool, Mills feels the Whites boss also instilled a different mentality, as witnessed in the battling win at St Andrew’s.

“We are starting to develop a way of playing; an identity which is really important,” noted the centre-half, who has featured in the last six games. “The manager has looked at the players and has got a formation that can get results in the Championship.

“There was a certain amount of pressure to get that first win but everyone stayed together and that was really important.

“The management have been fantastic in dealing with this situation. It has been difficult for the lads trying to get that win and it’s a nice feeling to have finally done it at Birmingham.”

Mills is currently enjoying his best run in the side since last October – a far cry from the start of the campaign when he appeared to be surplus to requirements at the Reebok.

The 27-year-old attended extra training sessions in an effort to get back into the first team picture over August and September and now feels his place in the team is a warranted one.

“That’s the way football goes,” he said. “I have shown my commitment to the club that when I wasn’t playing I was doing my double days, staying fit. It has been hard but thankfully I got my chance and long may I stay in the team.

“I don’t think me and Tim (Ream) have lost a game when we’ve played together. We haven’t played that much but it is a partnership that is working well.”

While the international break seems to have interrupted Wanderers’ momentum after a first win of the season, it has come at an opportune time for Mills.

“It’s probably a good thing for me because I have been playing with a foot injury for the last few weeks,” he added. “A few of the boys are carrying knocks but that’s just the way it is in the Championship because games come thick and fast.

“This break will give us a chance to recover.”