PHIL Parkinson claims intense speculation over his future did not help his team’s build-up against Hull City.

Parkinson’s job security was put into question in a statement issued by Ken Anderson 48 hours before Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Hull City, in which he said he would take “any action necessary” to correct recent form.

The club owner's words were widely interpreted as a warning to his manager yet yesterday Anderson appeared to retract the sentiment, pledging support to Parkinson and his staff.

Speaking after the final whistle against Hull City, Parkinson hoped he would be given a chance to continue in the post he has held since the summer of 2016, adding he was “delighted” with the job he had done.

But referring directly to the statement made by Anderson via the official website on Thursday, following a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, he claimed the timing had not been helpful in preparing his squad for the Hull game.

“There are no prima donnas among the lads here,” he told The Bolton News. “They care and they are an honest group. There’s a very good relationship with the staff.

“We are already under pressure because we are a team playing with limited resources playing against some very good teams.

“We are already under severe pressure every time we got out on the pitch and that (Anderson’s statement) intensifies it. It snowballs.

“When I came in here I remember saying in a press conference that the only way to turn this club around is from top to bottom, stick together.

“If you have got an abundance of money to spend you can hide a multitude of sins. I sometimes look at clubs and wonder ‘how did they get that win after what has been going on?’ It happens because of the quality of player they have.

“We have stuck together all through the last two years and enjoyed some good times. It’s the only way a team like Bolton will survive in the Championship.

“I also understand the fans’ frustration. A lot of them are newer fans who saw Bolton in the Premiership era and see us as such. I understand it. But that was then, this is now.”