Jonjo Shelvey has labelled some of the criticism directed at Steve Bruce and Newcastle United as “stupid and embarrassing”.
The Magpies have been able to take a break from the Premier League in the last week or so and start focusing minds on the tough clash at Liverpool.
United had a difficult start to the season which included a poor performance at Norwich City, a display Bruce has since described as “a debacle”.
However, Newcastle have bounced back with three gritty performances against Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Watford - with none of the trio able to beat United over 90 minutes.
United players have also been frustrated by pundits suggesting there have been leaks coming out of the dressing room - not least from ex-striker Michael Chopra who suggested players had told him that Toon stars didn’t know what their roles were.
Shelvey told the Chronicle: “We had a chat in the dressing room.
“It was like: ‘Does anybody even know him?’
“I know he played here but he didn’t score loads of goals.
“It’s just people being busy to get their name in the paper.
“It’s just people who are bored. If they saw you - or Steve Bruce - in the street they’d come up to you and try to talk.
“It’s just embarrassing. People can talk but we need to stick together and keep it all in house.
“We have to do our media duties and that but you can see in recent performances that we are together.”
Bruce has had to endure a host of comments about his position and power at the club.
But Shelvey is enjoying life under the former Manchester United skipper.
The midfielder said: “I understand it, but I think it’s because of Rafa Benitez.
“Rafa was such a great manager with a great CV behind him.
“He won everything there was to win.
“Steve Bruce is here now. For me he has been brilliant.
“The way he involves everybody is brilliant, even the lads who aren’t in the squad.
“He’s probably one of the best man-managers I have worked with.”
Shelvey lost his place for the win at Spurs but is ready to fight to win it back.
Speaking about Bruce’s management style, he said: “It is enjoyable and I want to see him do well.
“As a player he is putting his arm around you if you don’t make the team or make the squad.
“When that happens you want them to do well and stay here.
“Eventually he will stick by you because you’ve stuck by him.”
United’s squad are now focused on the job in hand with a testing month to come.
Shelvey feels it is all about rising above the critics.
He said: “The criticism the club are getting at the start of the season is just stupidity. It is embarrassing really.
"But the lads answered back against a very good Tottenham team.
“We go to Liverpool after that and we know it won’t be easy.
“We know we need to beat the teams in and around you, home and away.
“But if you can nick anything off the big boys that’s a bonus.”
