West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson is confident there will be no knee-jerk reaction from the Sunderland board who will continue to back manager Steve Bruce despite the Black Cats' poor start to the campaign. The pressure will inevitably increase on Bruce should they lose to the Baggies in Saturday's clash at the Stadium of Light after his summer spending spree.
But Hodgson said: "Steve is a good manager and has done a remarkable job wherever he has been.
"I think he and the club are more than strong enough to withstand whispers and rumours.
"I think it would surprise me if a club like Sunderland had any knee-jerk reaction.
"It is still early days in the season and Steve is in the throes of putting together a new team because, in the transfer market, he was very active this year.
"We all know it takes time to gel together."
Hodgson added: "I think the itchy-finger syndrome is with us all the time in football.
"We are used to that but only hope the people in football who make decisions make good ones."
