"Don't blame the gaffer," says Newell

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers left the Millers without a league win in seven games and prompted fresh criticism on social media.

While Newell says he understands supporters' frustration, he says it was unfair to direct their criticism in one direction, particularly in view of the individual errors which have undermined recent performances.

READ: Former manager Neil Warnock's thanks to Millers fans

The wing man told the Advertiser: "Obviously we all read things on social media and you are aware of things. I'm not saying this because he is the gaffer — any player would agree there was nothing, tactically, that he or the coaches set us out to do which was wrong. It is just errors that keep costing us and as players we have to take responsibility sometimes.

"We just need to pick ourselves up. We've a full week to get ready and we need to go into this weekend with a bit more confidence.”

Read the full honest and open interview with Joe Newell in this Friday's Advertiser.