Friday 15 September 2017 19:15, UK
Steve Bruce says he understands why Aston Villa have had seven managers in as many years after a "mass hysteria" around his position.
Villa have won just one of their opening seven Sky Bet Championship fixtures so far this season, despite bringing in the likes of John Terry and Robert Snodgrass in the summer.
But ex-Birmingham boss Bruce has urged Villa fans to look back at history before calling for another manager's head.
"When you've got seven points from seven games, it opens yourself up for criticism," Bruce said ahead of Villa's game against Barnsley on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football.
"Of course here, at a club like ours, it turns into mass hysteria. That's what has happened over the last seven years.
"The club has had seven managers in the last seven years, and you can understand why now. A couple of bad results and all of a sudden it's the end of the world again. We've got a long way to go, we've got a squad which is capable. I know we'll make a challenge. We will make a challenge.
Bruce added: "I inherited a club that won five games in 18 months. It's gone bad now year upon year and of course it's 'off with the manager's head'.
"If that's going to change anything, history tells you it is not. We've got to win a couple of games to stop all this mass hysteria.
"I know we've got a squad here who will be there or thereabouts come the shake up at the end of the season."
