Steve Bruce believes the only way for a club to make progress is if managers are given years, not months to make their mark.

The Wigan boss has been disturbed at the verbal battering Sam Allardyce has taken in the first few months of his tenure at Newcastle.

Bruce welcomes his old friend to the JJB Stadium on Boxing Day, knowing he could increase the pressure on him.

Allardyce is again feeling the heat following the 2-2 home draw against bottom club Derby.

He said: "For people to shout at Sam, 'You don't know what you are doing,' is nonsense.

"He does know what he is doing - he proved it for years with Bolton. He did a fantastic job there and rebuilt the club.

"I am convinced he will get it right at Newcastle but you have got to give him time to do it his way.

"You cannot put your stamp on a club in two or three months. It takes two or three years.

"But none of us get the chance to do that. You have to make an impact.

"If you don't you can be out of a job in weeks. Unless we get a bit of commonness football clubs will never be stable or successful."