The former Wales international reacted furiously after hearing a phone-in on a local radio station following the 4-1 home defeat to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Gary Crosby, Andy Garner, Martin Taylor and Johnny Metgod form manager Nigel Clough's first-team coaching staff.

"I sit in that dressing room every day and they are up to the job 100% and so is the manager," said Savage.

"Johnny Metgod played for Real Madrid for a start. Gary Crosby played in four or five cup finals for Nottingham Forest. Martin Taylor played in the top division and Andy Garner was a very good lower league player and played for Derby.

"I've never heard one player question the manager or somebody who's played for Real Madrid or somebody who's played in the Premier League. The fans have a right to boo us off the pitch at half-time and full-time but booing us back on to the pitch (for the second half) doesn't help.

"I'm sure the manager would like to sign 11 players and put them in the team but he can't. All we can do is go out there and try our best but in the last three home games it hasn't been good enough."