Bearing in mind the ructions off the field, it's remarkable that the heart of Hillsborough – the dressing room – is beating strongly still as a settled, tight-knit unit.

Words like spirit, commitment and togetherness tend to be used all too blithely in football – manager-speak often uttered even when those qualities are palpably not present.

But here is one who is fully entitled to talk in such terms. Through force of personality, the loquacious and likeable Laws – a man for whom players generally enjoy working – has insulated the dressing room in the bleakest of times.

Yes, he has made some mistakes. Perhaps he should have been quicker to detect and act upon the air of negativity that pervaded Hillsborough after last summer's floods. Maybe he, too, allowed himself to be affected by it amid financial constraints that ruled out like-for-like replacements for Madjid Bougherra, Steve MacLean and the reluctantly sold Chris Brunt.

Laws and his team then handicapped themselves with that six-match losing start. Add to which two of his bigger signings – Francis Jeffers, a hugely expensive gamble, and Leon Clarke – have, for varying reasons, fallen well short of expectations.

However, considering the overall state of the club – a tight but rudderless ship since Dave Allen quit as chairman, though with chief executive Kaven Walker taking a firm lead – Laws has staged a truly mighty effort to keep the Owls in the Championship.

The doubts over whether he would have survived relegation can be laid to one side. Personally, I think there was a good case for allowing him to start next season given such appalling circumstances and his past success in League One.

But, for now at least, Laws' future is not an issue; nor would fans want it to become one. He retains the support of the majority and deserves – wishful thinking here perhaps – to get the benefit of any cash injection.

Even without a takeover, Laws is realistically targeting the improvement on which his longevity would depend. Midfield strengthening and perhaps an infusion of pace up front could easily bridge the gap to the top half of the table in this lottery of a league.

Yet perhaps the gap the Owls need to bridge most can only be achieved by reaching out to forge a closer bond with their own fantastic fan base. Expressions of appreciation from the club are a step in the right direction.