Steve Bruce: I'm still the man to lead Aston Villa
Defiant Steve Bruce vowed to get floundering Villa quickly back on track as he declared: “I’m still the man for the job”.
Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Reading was Villa’s second defeat on their travels in the space of four days, continuing a poor start to the season.
Yet despite coming under steadily increasing pressure and faced with a fanbase which is beginning to lose patience, Bruce is convinced he will turn things around.
“I can understand the booing and frustration from supporters because they pay hard-earned money to come and see the team win,” he said.
“My message to them is I have been here many times and been successful at every Championship club I have been at.
“I have been able to get them promoted. Given time, I will do it again. Whether I am given that time, that is not for me to answer.
“I sincerely hope so. There is a big job and I am still in the middle of rebuilding.
“I have got to get results. I am under no illusion about that. Obviously we need them quicker than we are getting them at the moment.
“I am the right man for it. My record tells you that. I haven’t become a bad manager in the space of a week. I will get there.”
Having demanded a response from his team following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Cardiff, Bruce took encouragement in the performance at Reading, it not the result.
Andre Green missed a chance to fire Villa ahead before a Glenn Whelan own goal and Modou Barrow strike early in the second half put the Royals in command.
Conor Hourihane pulled one back for Villa late on but they could not find an equaliser.
“I’m disappointed because I did not think we deserved to lose,” said Bruce. “We had a great chance in the first half.
“In the three games we have had, we have missed. It appears week after week for me.
“Reading are always going to have possession, they are very decent at keeping it.
“We have conceded just after half-time. An awful goal, a horrible deflection.
“I was pleased with the response. It would have been difficult but we could have had something from the game.
“We have had a horrible week but that is all it is. We must try and get better.”
