STUART McCall fears some club owners are too easily influenced by fan reaction instead of sticking up for their managers.

Six bosses have already lost their job in 2017 – including those at City's last two opponents.

Danny Wilson was sacked at Chesterfield just 24 hours after their 2-0 defeat at Valley Parade.

Then Northampton, beaten by the Bantams last week, followed suit by firing Rob Page on Monday.

McCall blames the growing influence of social media – and the way it can sway football chairmen.

The City chief said: "I saw the average lifespan of a manager at our level now is ten and a half months. That's under a year. You don't have any chance to put a structure in.

"You might have a plan to develop youngsters and bring them through over time. That's fine and might tick all the boxes. But you lose a few games, fans then start and the owners change the goal posts.

"Gone are the days when managers got time to settle in and bring in their own players. It's purely based on getting results quickly – the majority of clubs aren't looking at the long term.

"Supporters have a massive part to play these days, with social media and (internet) forums. One week you are great and the next you're the worst manager in the world. It can even change during the game."

Page only took over the promoted Cobblers in May after Chris Wilder left for Sheffield United. But after a seven-game unbeaten league start, their form has since deteriorated.

Wilson has been battling financial issues at third-bottom Chesterfield during his 13-month reign.

McCall said: "Pagey over-achieved early on. They had just come up and kept the run going.

"But they got knocked out the FA Cup (by non-League Stourbridge) and have had some difficult results.

"It was hard last week listening to some of the shouts, even when they were 1-0 up.

"With Danny, it was a hard task with no money. I think they're near enough in the same position as when he came in last year.

"But sometimes supporters don't know the ins and outs of what's going on behind the scenes. Some people watch one game and then think they have the right to voice an opinion.

"I've seen it up in Scotland with Rangers. The Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has done really well but after a couple of bad results, they suddenly wanted him out.

"Even the other day after Chelsea got beaten at Spurs, their only Premier League defeat, there were people phoning in on the radio to have a go at (Antonio) Conte. That just sums it up.

"The problem is owners can pay too much attention and they get a little bit twitchy."

McCall has no such concerns, with City well placed in fourth spot as they eye a third League One win on the bounce on Saturday at Shrewsbury.

But he will continue to ignore anything that might be said on social media and said: "Personally, I stay away as far as possible from Twitter and things like that.

"I just focus on what I can do and what the club does. My bottom line is to send the fans home happy because they are the most important part of any football club."