Rob fears for Rafa ’n Co

®Êby IAN MURTAGH

TOON legend Rob Lee has laid bare his fears for his beloved Newcastle.

The Magpies are a club at war, with owner Mike Ashley under fire from all sides. Rafa Benitez and Ashley are in a standoff over the future direction of the club, with the sports retail magnate knocking back a list of demands from his manager. Players are also working to rule, refusing to carry out media duties over a bonus dispute.

Rival fans’ factions have formed the Magpies Group and are planning a mass demonstration outside the city centre branch of Ashley’s Sports Direct shop ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Tottenham.

And local MP Chi Onwurah is so fed up she has presented a petition to Parliament, calling on Ashley to give Benitez more backing.

Assessing the prospects for his former club, Lee warned: “I genuinely fear for them. They overachieved massively, finishing 10th last season. Everyone in football knows that.

“Rafa Benitez did a magnificent job and most owners would have backed him to the hilt during the summer.

“But not Mike Ashley. He’s blown a big opportunity. Every other club, even the promoted ones, are spending big.

“I look at our squad and it doesn’t even look as strong as last season. Are there goals in that team? Hopefully, but I have my doubts.”

Lee admits he is surprised Benitez hasn’t walked out already.

“I thought he’d have gone by now. Clearly he’s not a happy man but thankfully, he’s staying loyal to the fans,” he said.

“One day, though, he will have had enough. Then we’ll be in big trouble. “Despite all this unrest, the Geordies will never turn on Rafa or the team. That’s why Ashley can’t win this one.”