KELVIN Mellor insists Gary Bowyer has got City feeling good about themselves again.

The defender can sense a totally different atmosphere around the club compared with last season.

Bowyer made 15 signings in the summer transfer window to put his stamp on the place following the drop to the bottom tier.

And Mellor, who won promotion from League Two under the City manager at Blackpool, believes the mood has been transformed.

He said: “The gaffer brilliant with everyone. I was with him at Blackpool for two years and he’s probably been the best manager I’ve worked under.

“He’s just relentless on standards and his coaching side of the game is very good.

“His door is always open if you need a chat and he’s for ever giving praise to the lads.

“He’s very approachable and quite funny, to be fair. It’s like a pick-me-up when you come into training.

I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him.”

Mellor admitted it had been a difficult environment last season as City headed towards relegation.

“It’s a tough industry, especially if you’re not winning games and everybody’s on your back,” he added.

“You went into work feeling a bit down but you just had to get on with it and focus on the football. It was hard.

“You’re going to get people having a go at you and saying this and that but that’s human nature.

“But this is a fresh start for everybody and we’re on an even playing field.

“Last year was a tough time and we all felt it. But the fans have been brilliant with us this season.

“They provide that extra one per cent for the team on the pitch. There’s nothing better than hearing them cheering and chanting.

“Obviously the results control the environment. If they are coming in, it’s brilliant.”

Mellor went up from League Two in 2017 via the play-offs and knows the slog City will face if they are to follow suit with immediate promotion.

“It’s a battle every week. We’ve played nine games now and they’ve all been different.

“It’s a tough league to get out of but it’s the result that matters. It’s nice to play well but that’s the important thing.

“The Cheltenham game was frustrating. To score two away from home and concede three was a hard one to take.

“But I definitely feel that a big performance is coming.”