Under-pressure Matt Hamshaw believes he just needs time to turn around Rotherham United
BOSS Matt Hamshaw stressed the need for patience in his rebuilding mission as he acknowledged Rotherham United's position in League One's drop zone has put him in the firing line.
The Millers head into two successive home matches in 23rd spot and with some supporters calling for the manager's head.
Hamshaw, who won three third-tier promotions at AESSEAL New York Stadium between 2018 and 2022 as a coach under Paul Warne, acknowledges that questions are being asked about his job but hopes the club takes a long-term view as he bids to revive its fortunes.
Supporters have endured nearly three years of disappointment and the man at the helm for the last 11 months said: “I've said all along, I can't just click my fingers and make everything like it was before. It took us a long time previously to get to that level.
“I understand the need in the modern-day game, if something's not right, for the manager to go. I'm well aware of that. I don't sit here thinking I'm untouchable.
“I was part and parcel of what happened the last time we were here. It was tough when we first came in. I speak to Paul every week and we go back to those times where there were a lot of people here who might not have wanted to be. I don't think that's the case now.
“The training ground wasn't as good as it is now. There were a lot of things that needed to develop and change. But there's no point in me concentrating on what happened yesterday. All I can concentrate on is today and tomorrow.
“Every day we come in, we try to make the players better. Every day we come in, we try to target players for the next transfer window. We're trying to get this club back on to a good footing.”
Rotherham face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday before Mansfield Town are the visitors to New York next Tuesday.
The Millers, who now have ten men in the treatment room, have lost their last four matches and the gap to safety has stretched to five points, but Hamshaw is confident his men can pull clear of the relegation reckoning in the remaining 14 games.
“One-hundred per cent, yes,” he said. “Otherwise I wouldn't still be sitting here talking to you. I firmly believe in this group. We've missed key players, we've missed key players all season. We need those players back - players like Joe Powell, Dan Gore and Denzel Hall.
The boss was talking at the club's Roundwood training base this afternoon while his coaches were holding a meeting with the squad focusing on defensive matters.
“It's important that we make sure we keep reaffirming things to the players and showing them the positives,” he said. “We don't hide away from showing them the things that they've done wrong.
“We've had the attackers in, we've gone through some ‘unit’ stuff, we've gone through some individual stuff.
“The lads are fully aware of what needs to happen. It's now about taking that on to the pitch. As much as we've not had results, some of the performances have been okay; not amazing, but okay.
“I'm well aware of the situation we're in. Every game that comes up now is key. We need goals from centre-backs, full-backs, set-pieces. It's not all on the attackers.”