Anti-social media’s part of game .. I just hit my block button
Newell beat online trolls by becoming pillar for Hibees
Joe Newell has seen the ugly side of playing for a club as big as Hibs.
The former Rotherham man was quickly written off after arriving as part of former boss Paul Heckingbottom’s summer recruitment drive.
Despite the Hibees’ struggles at the foot of the table, he couldn’t cement a place in the side.
Newell was well aware of the stick he was receiving both from the Easter Road stands and online.
And he admits that constant reminders of his underwhelming start were difficult to block out.
But under new manager Jack Ross he has become a pillar in a Hibs side that has soared into the top six since the winter break.
And the midfielder believes he can enjoy his side’s mini-revival even more after experiencing the bad times.
He said: “Heckingbottom made a lot of signings in the summer and we basically all got stick from the outset.
“I’m a social media guy but even if you’re not, you still have mates texting you saying: ‘The fans are slaughtering you.’
“You’ve got your missus reading things online too.
“It’s the modern way now, isn’t it? It’s not like the old days when the fans went to the pub, slagged you off and no one heard about it.
“It’s all online and you can’t avoid it.
“It’s part and parcel of the game so you just have to block it out.
“You don’t get too high when things are going well, don’t get too low when things are going badly.
“Without sounding big headed, I know I’ve played enough games at a good level and I’ve always believed in my own ability.
“Nobody wants to see or hear negative comments about you but I knew I’d turn it around. It wasn’t just the new signings that weren’t doing well – the whole team weren’t getting results.
“To come out the other side, fully settled and with the team doing well, stands us in good stead.”
It’s not just Newell who has thrived since Jack
Ross took over the reins. The Hibees are pressing for a European place and have a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Inverness on the horizon.
Newell starred as the Easter Road side breezed past Ross County 3-0 on Wednesday night.
And the 26-year-old reckons everyone at the club has benefited from a clean slate.
He said: “It was a really good all-round performance against County in midweek.
“Three goals and a clean-sheet in front of our own fans are reasons to be delighted.
“I think everyone can see the difference in the side since Jack has come in – and I don’t mean that as any disrespect to Paul.
“But there has been a change as a team and for me personally.
“I’ve played more, which suits me. It’s also easier to enjoy your football when the team is winning.
“When Paul left there was a few of us in limbo.
“It didn’t turn out well for some boys who went back down to England but, on the other side of the coin, I’ve been playing regularly and Christian Doidge is on fire.
“I can remember when the new gaffer came in, he spoke to us all individually and made it clear he wouldn’t say ‘I’m not playing you because the old manager signed you.’
“He’s not like that at all. It was a fresh start for everyone and it has been good.”
Having spent the majority of his career in the English lower leagues, Newell has learned to play in a variety of positions.
And with Hibs’ jam-packed fixture schedule, his versatility is proving vital.
Newell added: “Right wing, across the midfield, left wingback – I’m all over the shop!
“The gaffer has asked me to play a few different positions and I’m happy to do that.
“I’m a team player and quite versatile so when he spoke to me I knew I could do a job wherever he wanted.
“The gaffer asked me on Tuesday, in the lead up to the County game, whether I had played at left-back before.
“I told him I had, when I was younger. A lot younger!
“It was a few years since I’ve done that job but it’s not out of the ordinary.
“I appreciate the trust the gaffer puts in me to do a job in different areas.”