McLeish: Under pressure

Share this article:

Dunne: McLeish needs time

Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne has voiced his support for manager Alex McLeish who has come under pressure from a section of the club’s fans.

A group of Villa supporters are proposing a demonstration against McLeish ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.

However, after 23 league games in charge McLeish boasts a better record than Martin O’Neill had at the same stage of his Villa career.

Dunne said: “Alex McLeish is desperate for this club to do well. Realistically for us to be challenging in the top 10 is sensible until the manager can settle the team down and make it grow.

“You can’t bring success overnight. You need to give the manager time. He needs enough time to put his stamp on the team and build a squad and team to challenge.

“He’s a good man. He’s here all day, every day, doing absolutely everything he can to try and get things right.

“He talks to every player and wants their feedback to see what we can do to improve things and make things better. He’s the same as the players. He’s trying 100%.

“Not everything we do is going to be correct but it’s not for the want of trying.”