Ferguson has reigned at Old Trafford for 26 years and Pulis admits the number of managers being put under pressure at such an early stage of the season has left him stunned.

Pulis said: "I think it is ridiculous some people are only given so little time. But we live in a society where everyone expects success right away.

"You have to put your head down and get on with it. You need strong people in the boardroom to stick with managers and give them an opportunity."

One of those under-fire bosses is Hull's Phil Brown, who has some supporters on his back ahead of the Tigers' daunting trip to Anfield.

But Brown will be buoyed by comments made by chairman Paul Duffen in a local radio interview this week.

Duffen described the criticism of Brown as "absolutely despicable" and added: "The Premier League season is six games in."

Wigan must end a run of 34 games without a win against the so-called 'Big Four' if they are to get three points against Chelsea but striker Hugo Rodallega remains undaunted.

He said: "We have to start picking up in games like this and looking at winning every game, not relying on what might happen after that in games against other teams."

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart is backing his players to finally claim their first points of the season against in-form Everton at Fratton Park.

Hart said: "Call me an idiot - I've been called that before - but I'm standing up and I believe in the players here and I think we can turn it around."

Burnley will bank on David Nugent's desire to prove a point to his old boss Harry Redknapp as the Clarets seek to cure their travel sickness against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Owen Coyle's men are yet to win a point on their travels but were buoyed by a brace last week by Nugent, who endured a frustrating time under Redknapp when the pair were at Portsmouth.

Peter Crouch is aiming for a place in the Spurs starting line-up after his midweek hat-trick in the Carling Cup win at Preston.

Steve Sidwell is an injury doubt for Aston Villa's trip to Blackburn after the midfielder injured his thigh in the warm-up before his side's midweek Carling Cup win over Cardiff.

Bolton boss Gary Megson has urged striker Johan Elmander to build on his Carling Cup goal against West Ham when his side face Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Megson said: "If he takes his time with the quality he has I'm sure he will finish more but that goal will do him the world of good."