Birmingham must show 'loyalty' to Bruce, says Sullivan

David Sullivan, the Birmingham City co-owner, has reiterated his support for manager Steve Bruce and insisted that there would be no "knee-jerk reaction" over the club's current plight. Birmingham find themselves four points adrift of safety in the Premiership after Monday's 2-1 home defeat by West Ham United.

Bruce's side have yet to win in the Premiership at St Andrew's this season and have taken only one point out of a possible 21 but Sullivan claimed he still had faith in his manager.

"From the board's point of view, we do not feel there is need for any knee-jerk reactions," Sullivan said. "We believe in loyalty, and stability - not changing managers.

"If you look at the bulk of clubs in our position who do change managers, they usually still get relegated like Southampton did last season."

Sullivan urged fans to turn out in numbers for Saturday's home game with Fulham, saying: "Our form at St Andrew's is appalling. It's beyond our worst fears. I came away from the West Ham game absolutely pole-axed, just like our fans."

He and many fellow club directors had lengthy journeys to reach Birmingham, said Sullivan, who added: "Those journeys seem to take longer and longer the more we lose. But the club as a whole is more important than us and we need the help of our fans like never before."