Newcastle United Fan View: Mike Ashley must take action and give Rafa Benitez the support he deserves

I sat and watched the Swansea game and said to my mate that it is following the same pattern as most other home games; plenty of chances, plenty of wasted opportunities, concede a cheap goal and struggle. Swansea were a poor, poor side and are rightly at the bottom of the league; we played well in the first half but once again could not put our chances away and that is simply down to a lack of talent in the side. We know the side can perform, but sadly these outstanding performances are starting to appear more like a blip than a side showing some real promise. Swansea, much like Bournemouth when we played them a month or so ago, were there for the taking. We should have won that game and in a league where the bottom 10 are separated by just 9 points, every single point in vital.

Everyone is talking about the magic 40 point mark; a total that if you achieve, normally sees you stay in the Premier League. Of course, Mike Ashley could go a long way to helping Rafa achieve that total this season by investing in the side but we should all know by now that is not going to happen. I have looked at the remaining fixtures this morning and it is painful viewing; we need 17 more points, 5 and a bit more wins and I am not too sure where we will pick up these points – we will certainly not be picking up anything this Saturday against Manchester City, of that I am more than sure!

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There are daily reports from the local and national press (although to be fair to the local press, they are often just commenting on the national reports and dismissing them) stating that Newcastle have bid for this player, or they are keen on this one. We were linked with Pepe Reina a day ago, the 35 year old Spanish keeper who apparently commands a fee of £10-15m. Now don’t get me wrong, he is a top class keeper but remember we do still have Ashley as the owner, who on earth thinks he will sanction such a deal? Whilst he is still looking to sell the club, every single penny he invests in the club will be accounted for and he will make sure he gets every single penny back if/when a sale goes through. Why would he invest such an amount in a keeper with absolutely no sell on value? The same could be said for Watford’s Troy Deeney who, at 29 years old, was linked with a move to the North East for a fee thought to be around £16-20m. Reports say this morning the deal was “as good as done” but when he asked for assurances on Rafa staying, he wasn’t given them. Does anyone genuinely believe this story? Come on.

It is almost farcical now that Ashley is still clinging on to the club, a club he wants to sell, a club he does not want anymore. Allegedly he is waiting to see what the Premier League TV money deal is when the figures come out next month; whilst his desire to sell the club has not changed, the deal figure may well make the selling price for Newcastle United more clear.

Right now there isn’t much to shout about as a Newcastle United fan. The feelings of frustration around the takeover are an ever present and that has a huge affect, certainly for me anyway, on my ability to just get on and enjoy the season. There is a report, an EXCLUSIVE in fact, from the Daily Express this morning stating Staveley is increasing her offer to £300m but like with most stories these days about us, I would take is with a huge pinch of salt.