But he urged his players to see that as positive move and a way of getting more from his squad.
"They know I am going to recruit but they should see that as a stimulus," Hill explained. "The players need that competitiveness in the training. It was a strong performance tonight but we can definitely get better.
"We have only had two days to work with the players and in those two days you try and give them a lot of information. They have come and performed how we have asked them to play.
"Everyone is keen at the minute but the problem for me was not knowing the opposition - I couldn't really do the homework that would give us the edge. But I'm relatively pleased to come away with a point and it's something to build on.
"We will play better because I've witnessed in training how talented the players are. "
It was the first time Rochdale have kept a clean sheet since the end of October and the new manager, who took charge for his second spell following the sacking of John Coleman, praised the attitude of his players.
"We have been working on the discipline and structure of the side and I think that was evident tonight. It was an horrendous evening to play football and it was a great test of character.
Everyone to a man followed instructions and we deserved our clean sheet. That's what success is built on."
The visitors had the best of the first half chances with livewire Bobby Grant forcing a good save from Cheltenham keeper Scott Brown.
But the tide turned after the break with Rochdale keeper Josh Lillis forced into an excellent save to keep out a close-range Keith Lowe effort.
