Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce admits he feared for his job at the start of the season.

Bruce says his first aim is to survive through the October and November international breaks, when clubs often wield the axe if their side under-performs.

Newcastle host Bournemouth today looking for back-to-back wins to lift them to a “solid" 15 points, and Bruce said: “Some of us look at October and November and think we have gone past that hurdle of getting the sack.

“How often does it happen? It gives the clubs two weeks to get a new manager and it always seems to happen then.

“So all of us say, 'Let's get through that first one in September'. You usually get away with that one.

“October is a bad month, and this one was flaming awful! This time last year I was on a beach.

“In management, you want a decent start – it helps everything you're trying to do – and we can't all have one.

“For me this period has always been about getting an accumulation of points for that crucial month over the Christmas period."

Asked if he thought he was vulnerable after United lost 5-0 to Leicester in September, Bruce said: “5-0? Pressure? You ask how can I get them to react? I think that's when you earn your dough."