Newell wants to make Rotherham United fans smile again

The Millers were officially relegated from the Championship following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Fulham but victory over promotion hunting Sheffield Wednesday at the AESSEAL New York Stadium (7.45pm) would provide some respite for supporters in what has been a torrid campaign.

Twenty-four-year-old Newell has been one of the few attacking bright sparks in recent weeks and the former Peterborough man is hoping that local bragging rights would at least ease Saturday’s heartache.

He told the Advertiser: “I really hope we get something in the Wednesday game because it is the least the fans deserve.

“It wouldn’t matter if we were top of the league ten points clear or at the bottom where we are. It’s a derby so nothing else matters apart from trying to beat your local rivals.

“For the fans and for Paul Warne, I really hope we can go out and get something for them to cheer.”

The Owls go into the clash in woeful form, having been replaced in the final play-off position by last Saturday’s opponents.

They drew 1-1 at Barnsley in their last outing and have only won one game in their last seven, losing four.

Manager Carlos Carvalhal is coming under increasing pressure from the restless fanbase and anything other than a win against the already-relegated Millers would turn up the heat on the Portuguese coach.

The reverse fixture saw Wednesday finish 1-0 winners thanks to a late Steven Fletcher penalty in what was interim manager Paul Warne’s fourth game in charge.

POLL: Would Warne and Barker be your management choice?

The Millers have traditionally been more comfortable taking on their foes in S6 rather than at home down the years.

They haven’t beaten Wednesday in their own back yard in ten league matches since Dick Habbin scored in a 1-0 win at Millmoor back in 1976. The only victory since then came at NYS in a League Cup victory in 2013.

There's more from Joe Newell in this Friday's Advertiser.