Aston Villa, who are aiming for promotion, have started the season with two losses and a draw which has lead to Steve Bruce accusing his players of 'shying away'.
The pressure is mounting on the Villa boss with his side sitting second bottom in the Championship following a deat against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.
Bruce has told his players that they are the ones who have put him in this hazardous position and insists he does not have millions of pounds to resolve the situation.
The 56-year-old said: "Should the players be performing better? Yes. The enormity of Aston Villa comes into play.
"Unfortunately, I've not got the best out of them as some have shied away from it. They've found it difficult to get established and hit the form which is the reason they are at Aston Villa.
"They have to grasp the nettle too, to go forward they have to improve and I have to improve them."
On Tuesday night, striker Scott Hogan had to be replaced by Gabby Abonlahor after less than half an hour due to injury.
"We're a bit hamstrung with the loss of Hogan and we're finding it difficult without our main forward (Jonathan Kodjia)," Bruce added.
"We found that difficult last year as well and if we need something it is at the top end of the pitch. You're only as good as your strikers.
"Of course I have a few young ones and if it keeps progressing I will give youngsters a try as I don't have millions to spend. We have to match the expectation that's coming, batten down the hatches, roll up your sleeves and I will see what a few people are made off.
"We're up against it and you judge everyone. We're without our main forward and our other centre forward we spent a lot of money on keeps getting injured."