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A summer of uncertainly lies in wait for Newcastle United fans
Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Arsenal just over a week ago all but secured our stay in the Premier League for another season. Whilst I am sure Rafa won’t let his players sit back and relax now that “the hard work is done”, it is difficult as a fan not to look beyond this season and to what might happen in the summer, a summer of uncertainty, and unfortunately, I suspect us fans are in for a rough ride once again.
Newcastle United should be looking at finishing the season strongly and they have the perfect opportunity to do this on Saturday when they face bottom of the league team, WBA. Most fans were hoping for a reunion with old boss Pardew at this fixture; our old friend Alan in charge of the opposition would have ignited the atmosphere and provided outsiders with a visual and sound spectacle as to why Newcastle fans are in dreamland by having Rafa as manager rather than Pardew; Newcastle have certainly come a long way on and off the pitch since those days.
Sadly for us, this was not to be and WBA have moved on to Darren Moore who has managed to squeeze a bit of life out of the Baggies over the last few weeks. Where the Everton defeat on Monday felt like a lighthearted training game with both teams struggling to make much of an impact, the game against WBA is likely to be a physical and demanding affair. This match is certainly not one to chalk off as an easy win but Newcastle United should be looking at taking all 3 points to strengthen our position in the top half of the table.
This week, I have seen some fans on social media saying they don’t want Newcastle United to finish any higher up the table as it means Ashley makes more money. Yes, they have a point in that Ashley will profit from a higher league position than 10th but I for one would like to see us get as high up as possible. However, the Ashley factor isn’t going away and this leads me nicely, if somewhat regretfully, on to the main point of this article.
Mike Ashley. I have managed to get through a few articles recently without mentioning his name once but as the season draws to a close it is time to once more speak about our owner. There may still be a few games of the season left but I am finding it hard to not look at what may be this summer and I am afraid to say it is giving me a very uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
In October/November 2017 the club was for sale, Ashley went on record to say we were sale and the press went in to overdrive. Amanda Staveley seemed to be the most likely of buyers with press statements released from both sides confirming the interest in the purchase but all this proved to be was an unwelcome distraction when it came to the on the field problems, and more so, the need to invest in the January transfer window.
Ashley likes a distraction, he likes attention to be deflected away from him, especially during the bad times (of which there have been many) so the cynical side of me wondered whether the club ever was truly for sale; the distraction worked wonderfully, just when the club was crying out for investment and all eyes were on him, he managed to get through the crisis without spending a single penny. Most fans were not pleased, in fact most were furious, but generally accepted that the “takeover” talk was going to have an impact on club business. The pay off from the lack of investment in yet another transfer was that there was after all light at the end of the tunnel, a new owner, promises of investment a bright new future.
Was the club really for sale? Was Amanda Staveley seriously interested in buying the club? Who knows, but the takeover talk ended conveniently towards the end of the transfer window meaning very little business could be done. The fans turned their attention back to the football and thankfully, 2018 has been a very good year so far. However, the press seem to have lost a bit of interest in the football too and just this week, stories of takeovers, contracts for Rafa, investment and money to spend has started but I think this time, fans have wised up to it.
The Chronicle published a story earlier this week and have pushed it a little on their own site and social media. The headline makes great reading; a new contract for Rafa and millions to spend – great! But when you actually read the article there is very little substance to these claims. As a Newcastle fan I have become incredible wary of anything written about the club in the press, both local and national. I believe there are some journalists (mainly George Caulkin from The Times) who do have genuine inside knowledge and will report accordingly but all I take from this story is a nudge to fans to renew their season tickets. “Good times are coming, don’t miss out”. Rubbish – we hear the same story, or a story along the same lines every single April – just as the season ticket renewal deadline is approaching. I don’t believe that for one second. Why would they publicise the amount of money they had to spend? When has Ashley ever spent that kind of money before?
We have been sold this line before and more often than not have got our hopes up, only to be let down, once again, by Ashley and his regime. As far as I am concerned, this summer will go one of 3 ways.
Ashley decides the club is no longer for sale, Ashley promises Rafa the world – full control, a mega transfer budget. Good times. Charnley then fails to get any targets in. Fans and press alike start to wonder if there was any money in the first place. Rafa walks. More broken promises from Ashley and yet more lies. History shows that if Ashley stays, this is what will happen.
Ashley will sell the club but the takeover will drag throughout the summer and little to no business will be done prior to the 18/19 season starting. Rafa stays in the hope of new ownership but could well walk due to the time it takes.
The club is sold within a week of the season finishing, Rafa is handed the millions he needs to revamp the club from top to bottom.
Anyone who genuinely thinks number 3 will happen needs to have a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror!
