Lansdown gave Keith Millen a three-year-deal back in August

Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown says he will give manager Keith Millen more time to turn things around despite being bottom of the Championship.

Millen took over the reins in August after Steve Coppell's sudden departure but has overseen just one league win in nine games.

"From my perspective When you appoint somebody you appoint them for the long term," Lansdown told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"You work with them to get the best out of them for your football club."

Lansdown continued: "When [former manager] Gary Johnson joined us he didn't start off too badly, winning three out of the first four games.

"But following that episode we had nine straight defeats and there was a lot of noise calling for his head at that time.

"But history shows sticking by him was the right thing to do.

"You've got to battle through these things. Chopping and changing may give you a short term fillip but doesn't actually give you long term success."

Coppell's brief stay at Ashton Gate saw his side lose both of their competitive fixtures, 3-0 at home to Millwall in the league and a 3-2 loss at Southend in the League Cup.

Chopping and changing may give you a short term fillip but doesn't actually give you long term success Steve Lansdown

But Lansdown does not agree with City fans who believe Coppell is wholly to blame for the club's current situation.

"When things aren't going well you're always looking for a scapegoat," he said.

"But I don't think we can blame Steve Coppell for the latest games but the turmoil caused by him leaving didn't help.

"To be honest the first 10 games of this season have been virtually our pre-season."

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