JEREMY Peace has said he "can't praise enough" the work Tony Mowbray is doing on and off the pitch at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies boss was given a chance to rebuild his squad in the wake of May's narrow play-off final defeat by Derby.

He grasped the opportunity with both hands and, after a summer of comings and goings, Mowbray's men are currently top of the Championship table thanks to a brand of football that has earned praise from many quarters.

And Albion chairman Peace is delighted with what the manager has achieved since being appointed to the Hawthorns hotseat 16 months ago.

"Tony's a pleasure to work with," he said.

"We all see what he's like on a matchday but he's also very good around the club.

"He's worked well with the board to shape things.

"He's a good listener and does factor in everybody's views.

"At the end of the day, he's his own man and he reaches his own conclusions.

"He works very well with Mark Venus and they're a very good team.

"It's been a joy to watch the football, which many would say is difficult to play at this level.

"I love to watch the football we play now - it's fantastic.

"All the feedback I get is that the dressing room atmosphere is extremely good.

"The team are playing together and congratulate each other when they score.

"Someone like Zoltan Gera, who is in the last few months of his contract, is still giving his all - you can see that in his performances.

"That speaks volumes for the manager and I can't praise him enough for what he's done."

Peace has also spoken of the strong working relationship he and the Baggies board have fostered with Mowbray, who has made a big impression since moving south of the border from SPL outfit Hibernian.

"It is no surprise to us that his name has been linked with jobs at a higher level," he added.

"That's fine and it's up to us to make sure we keep him happy here and that we try and give him a canvas to paint his picture on.

"Hopefully we'll end up in the right place and it will be so attractive he won't want to leave us.

"The working relationship between me and the manager is good and that's the most important relationship at any football club.

"All the other members of the board get on well with Tony, which is a relationship we have to try and foster." 

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