Newcastle beat Rotherham 1-0 thanks to a goal from Christian Atsu.
Jonjo Shelvey has described the game against Rotherham as “horrible”, speaking to nufc.co.uk.
The Magpies picked up all three points from their trip to the New York Stadium, with Christian Atu’s sensational strike separating the two sides, but Newcastle star Shelvey did not enjoy the game.
“It was a horrible match to play in,” Shelvey told nufc.co.uk.
“The ball was in the air for probably 80 per cent of the match, but the main thing was getting the three points.
“If you’re going to go up in this league you need to go to places like that and get the points.”
Rafael Benitez’s side were put under a lot of pressure by Alan Stubbs’ Rotherham, but the resolute Newcastle defence managed to hold on and deal with everything the Millers threw at them.
The game was not best suited to Shelvey, who is Newcastle’s best ball player, with the home side seeing a lot of the ball and playing a direct style which ensured that the Magpies’ centre-backs had to be on top form.
Shelvey’s ability to dominate midfield battles has seen him emerge as arguably Benitez’s most important player, with a lot of their best play going forward running through the England international. The former Swansea midfielder has scored three times this season, having failed to find the net in the Premier League for the Magpies last term.
Newcastle sit in third place going into the international break, and the 24-year-old will be hoping to play a bit more football rather than hoof-ball when the side return to Championship action against Brentford.
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