WANDERERS remain a long-term project for Keith Hill, who maintains the recent debate over his future as manager is “unfair”.

The Bolton boss has not sought word from owners Football Ventures on whether his position is under real threat after a run of one win in the last 13 games.

Barring a footballing miracle the Whites are heading for League Two football next season – but Hill says the state of the situation he walked into in August should be enough to warrant some security.

“It has always been a long-term plan but there seems to be a short-term debate,” he said yesterday.

“I think that’s pretty unfair. I don’t remember any debates last season, except around Ken Anderson.

“There seems to be a lot of debates around my future at the football club, which I think is a bit crass.

“My remit shouldn’t have changed. I previously mentioned some time ago that I shouldn’t be seen as the fall guy for what has happened at this club. I wouldn’t want to be thrown under the bus.

“I am enjoying this job and love every minute of every day trying to make this club better. Don’t get me confused with an angry man, I am not. I will protect this group of players.

“We came out of an earthquake, administration, and there is a lot of debris still to clear. Some people will never understand how difficult this season has been for me, the players, the new owners and equally as important, for the supporters.”

Asked whether his jurisdiction had changed since the appointment of Tobias Phoenix as head of football operations, or during the continued influence of board advisor, Peter Kenyon, he added: “I don’t think so. I think the operation above is still being streamlined. It is still new, being organised, and that will be revealed in the future, I suppose.”

Wanderers, who face Accrington tomorrow, could be mathematically relegated next month. But Hill claims League Two football should not alter the club’s vision for the long-term.

“Sean Dyche wasn’t a fall guy when Burnley got relegated from the Premier League. I think you can organise and plan a successful relegation,” he told The Bolton News. “Teams have done it in the past.

“If you don’t emotionally become negative towards the structure and the plans of the club, and you are brave, then you will get the Burnley, Norwich, West Broms.

“Under Dan Ashworth back in the day I thought West Brom was a brilliant structure where they would get relegated, promoted, relegated, promoted, until they got Premier League stability.

“It’s OK me sitting here telling you how it should be done. There are perfect models but decisions will continually be made over managers.

“If I was to lose my position I would be really disappointed, having only been here for five or six months.

“Looking at the job and what was needed, it was stability, a plan for the future, or you’ll just get continual change.”