Joe Newell talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
DYNAMIC midfielder Joe Newell believes the Millers handsome four-goal victory over fellow Championship strugglers Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day was a belated Christmas gift to all those associated with the club.
With honours even at the interval, the Millers ran riot after Grant Ward’s long range opener as further strikes from Danny Ward, Newell and sub Jonson Clarke-Harris put Neil Lennon’s side to the sword in front of a sell-out AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to www.themillers.co.uk afterwards, Newell admitted that everything the Millers touched in the second half of the Roses clash turned to gold, with Charlton’s late equaliser at Bristol City putting the icing on the cake on a perfect afternoon for his side, as the Millers escaped the Championship dropzone on goal difference.
“Everyone loves to come and watch football this time of year, so to get a 4-0 victory in front of a packed house, I don’t think there is anything better,” Newell enthused.
“It was another good win for us and it all happened in the second half for us.
“We were the better team in the first half without having that cutting edge. We played some good stuff and we were on top but we couldn’t nick a goal.
“Grant has hit a worldie from 30 yards out and I think we went on from there. You could see the confidence in us and it was pretty comfortable in the end.
“We had the momentum and we had the crowd behind us and we took our chances when they came.”
Newell’s well-taken strike was his fourth goal in seven goals as the midfielder has hit a purple patch in front of goal, which has coincided with the Millers improved run of form of late, as they earned successive victories for the third time this season.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Fulham, the ex-Peterborough midfielder has called on his side to buck the trend as on the two previous occasions, the Millers have secured back-to-back victories this season, they have embarked on a losing run, which has prevented Neil Redfearn’s men of building a head of steam as they look to drag themselves away from the Championship relegation mire.
“That’s three times now, we have had back-to-back wins,” Newell confirmed.
“Our performances, apart from the blip at Huddersfield, have been good for the last month but it’s important we get the consistency.
“We can go into games with a lot of confidence with how we are playing and we believe we can push on and starting climbing the league.”