Jaap Stam believes fellow Dutchman Frank de Boer needs to be given time to create an "atmosphere" for success at Crystal Palace.
Palace have yet to score in the Premier League this term and face Burnley, live on Sky Sports Premier League on Sunday, as one of three sides - alongside Bournemouth and West Ham - who have failed to register a point this season.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted to Sky Sports News last week he is concerned about the club's start to the season, with pressure already beginning to build on de Boer.
Palace recruited de Boer from Ajax in the summer following Sam Allardyce's decision to step down at the end of last season.
And Stam says his countryman needs to be given time to make an impression at Selhurst Park.
"The club made the decision to get Frank because of his way of working and how he wanted to play," he said.
"As a manager to go to England to work and get success straight away is very hard.
"Sometimes as a manager you need to have time to build something and create a certain atmosphere within the group that gets results.
"The only thing is; are we patient enough and do you get the time? That's not always the case."