Bolton boss Keith Hill believes Sunderland fans should back Phil Parkinson and ‘fight through the hard miles’ - insisting it will come together in the end.
Black Cats fans called for Parkinson’s head after his side was held to a goalless draw on Wearside by League One’s basement side, with Sunderland slipping to 15th in the table as a result.
But Hill, who succeeded Parkinson at Bolton earlier this season, launched a staunch defence of his opposite number.
“I don’t think there was an awful lot wrong last season, or at the beginning of the season,” said Hill.
“And I don’t think there’s a lot wrong now, it just needs a little bit of salt and pepper.
“But if you keep putting pressure on a manager and players, you’re going to end up with failure. It’s a simple as that.
“This is a massive, magnificent football club, but if you change manager, change players, change owner on a regular basis...
“Gareth Ainsworth has been at Wycombe seven years and probably has ten per cent of the budget of here, but look at what a job he’s doing.
“If you want sustainable success, you have to stick to a plan and fight through the hard miles.”
Hill believes Sunderland have a team that most managers in League One would envy.
He said: “You’ve got a good manager and a good group of players and it will come together.
I’m glad that we don’t have to play you again this season.
“No matter what people say, they’ve got a smashing team who are probably just a little low on confidence.
“I can tell you now, probably 21 other managers would probably swap squads tomorrow.”
