Matt Hamshaw responds to Rotherham United supporters who claim he should no longer be boss

In the wake of the 2-0 home loss against Peterborough United, the manager said things have to change at the club - and he accepted that some supporters want his exit to be one of those changes.

“I can't disagree at this moment,” the boss said.

Hamshaw was empathising with fans' feelings, not saying he isn't the right man for the job at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

“Today was rubbish,” he said. “I'm fed up with saying the same things. I understand it. Look, the fans are on my back. I ‘get’ it.”

The League One Millers, who already had a high casualty count, lost midfielder Dan Gore and centre-half Hamish Douglas in the build-up to the Posh clash and then saw defender Reece Jamea and wing-back Denzel Hall depart injured during the game.

“We've lost six games on the spin. We've got a lot of players out. I can't play my best team,” Hamshaw said.

“We need characters, we need desire, we need spirit. That wasn't there today and it wasn't there the other night (in a 4-0 reverse at Blackpool). People say: ‘Oh, it's the manager's fault.’ I ‘get’ that, but there are deep-rooted issues here.”

Boos greeted the final whistle of the first match of 2026.

The manager, nine months into his rebuilding mission, says he is still dealing with issues left by the previous management regime.

Today's result kept Rotherham in 22nd spot and they head into Sunday's New York clash against Mansfield Town with many of their best players out of action.

Discussing the Millers' present plight, Hamshaw said: ”I feel horrific about it. Scrutiny on your job is always there.

“Look, I'm feeling pressure. I understand the fans' frustration. It doesn't matter what I say now, because the fans don't want to hear it. I understand that as well. Look, it's unacceptable at this moment.”

His team went nine games unbeaten to close in on the play-off frame before their recent slump. A Joe Rafferty own goal and a strike from Posh's Brandon Khela added to their woes.

“It's nowhere near the levels that I've spoken about,” Hamshaw said. “There's been a massive drop-off. There are reasons for that.”

Peterborough have now won five and drawn one of their last six matches.

Their manager, Luke Williams, said: “It is the players who are doing the heavy lifting and I am very lucky to stand at the side and watch them.

“A clean sheet and two goals away from home is pretty much as good as it can get.

“I thought the first half was a bit clunky. The opposition stopped us from getting into our flow and there were one too many unforced errors from us.

“The team was together and things opened up a bit more in the second half. It was an evenly-matched game - there wasn’t much in it.”