KEITH Hill claims he is not getting enough external support in his efforts to rebuild Bolton Wanderers.

Speaking after a 2-0 defeat at Rochdale, the Bolton boss delivered a rather surprising broadside to those – including the press – he feels are not giving him “respect” after nearly five months in the job.

Wanderers remain 17 points from safety but have three games in hand on many of their rivals at the foot of the League One table.

Hill handed debuts to Toto Nsiala, Ethan Hamilton and Muhammadu Faal at Spotland but his side were beaten by a goal in each half by Luke Matheson and Jimmy Ryan.

The main talking point, however, was an unprompted outburst in the post-match press conference in which the manager claimed various elements of the club were “not on the same page.”

Hill reiterated that he had the support of his chairman and the board, and when asked to elaborate on the criticism and its sources, he added: “I don’t read a paper, I don’t read Twitter, I am sick of people telling me.

“People who are trying to protect me are telling me; Flicker (assistant manager David Flitcroft), my family, my friends.

“[Others need to] get some perspective, get some reality and start supporting this team’s rebuild.”

Hamilton, who was signed on loan from Manchester United, impressed for Wanderers, twice hitting the woodwork and having a number of other efforts saved by Rochdale’s keeper, Robert Sanchez.

Asked if his performance reflected well on the man who signed him, Hill said: “I don’t want credit, I just want respect.

“Ethan Hamilton will play for me, run through brick walls for me. I want every player to reflect that and when we do, we’ll have some team.

“I know my onions. I know where the players are.

“I know the quality I want to bring to this football club, I know the players I want to play on a regular basis.

“I may as well just go home and let someone else talk for me because everyone is talking for me, or on behalf of me.

“I know the DNA that will make this club successful on its own resources. It’s not rocket science, the players are there, they want to come and play for us.”