Bruce, whose side visit Scunthorpe for a Carling Cup clash tomorrow, has had to cope with speculation in some sections of the media that he is ‘under pressure’ after a stuttering start to the current campaign.

He has been given a resounding vote of confidence by club chairman David Gold and is convinced City’s fortunes will improve once the likes of David Dunn, Jiri Jarosik, Muzzy Izzet, Mikael Forssell and Walter Pandiani have gained full fitness.

Bruce said: “People say ‘how do I deal with people saying you are under pressure?’ I can honestly say I really and truly don’t read that stuff and I try just to keep a level playing field.

“I like the plaudits when things are gong well. We all do. It has been the toughest it has been for the last 12 to 14 months. The ‘under pressure’ thing doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

“Nobody likes criticism, I don’t care who you are, but you have got to try and keep a balance on things. It hasn’t been a decent start but I am convinced we will get better.

“I do this job because I love the game of football. It is difficult. Since we have been in the Premiership, we have averaged approximately one win every month so you’ve got the other three weeks to deal with and there is no-one worse than me if we lose.

“Managing is difficult, especially the way the climate is now and the way the Premiership is now, because the rewards are that big so you know what the down sides are. But I cope with it.”

Bruce added: “What it adds up to is to the detriment of the games. That’s why you are now seeing a lot of teams going out to play with just one striker and three grouped tight in central midfield.

“It is alright the big teams doing that but a lot of the teams in the Premiership are doing it because we need the results. We have done it as well against the big teams.

“We are all governed by results and everybody in that Premier League, every manager will know how vitally important it is to stay there.

“You can’t be afraid of losing your job but the one thing I don’t want to do after taking the club up into the Premiership is to be involved down there because we know the abyss clubs have found themselves in if they go down.

“The financial rewards are so great in the Premiership that you’ve got to make it imperative that you stay in there. Because of the finances, you are always under pressure whether it is from the media or whoever.

“But I want to try and bring a bit of success to the club. What success is to this club, I don’t know. We have to win a trophy. Can we get to another final?”

Bruce will take nothing for granted when they visit the Iron who are amongst the early promotion candidates in League One under manager Brian Laws.

Two years ago Birmingham suffered a shock result in the same competition when they were beaten by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road through a Scott Taylor goal.

Jarosik is rated doubtful for tomorrow’s cup clash as he twisted his ankle in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Portsmouth after scoring his second goal for the club.

It could mean a start for Izzet who impressed as a substitute at Fratton Park.

He has been eased slowly back into action by Bruce after a long lay-off following knee surgery last season.