Roberto Martinez defends sacked Steve Bruce

November 30 - Steve Bruce (Sunderland) The former Manchester United defender became the first managerial casualty of the season when he was shown the exit at the Stadium of Light. Bruce joined Sunderland from Wigan in 2009 but despite heavy i (GETTY IMAGES)

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes Steve Bruce should have been given more time at Sunderland.

Bruce yesterday paid the price for the Black Cats' poor start to the campaign, becoming the first Barclays Premier League manager to lose his job this season.

He recruited 10 new players for the Wearside outfit over the summer but has seen them win just two of their 13 league fixtures to date this term.

The 2-1 home defeat against Wigan - the club he left for the Stadium of Light in 2009 - on Saturday proved to be the 50-year-old's final game in charge, and asked today if he was surprised by Bruce's departure from Sunderland, Martinez said: "Yes, I was, because there had been a big turnaround there in the summer.

"There have been a lot of players coming into that dressing room.

"You don't really know what is happening at other football clubs, but you feel time is needed when you bring a lot of players in, for them to settle in and for them to feel themselves and perform at their best.

"It always takes time, so that was a little bit of a surprise - but then, unfortunately, in football, nothing really surprises you anymore.

"Stability and patience are two words that are needed at a football club."

PA