Toon Army should not get excited...

UNLESS Rafa can pull the rabbit out of the hat I see no magical moves being made by the Magpies on the summer transfer scene.

Even with Benitez at the helm – or is he really? There are few ripples on the water with Ashley splashing some cash.

If he was really enthusiastic with the return to the Premiership, he would be sitting round the table with Rafa excitedly sharpening his pencil ready to invest in new blood for the forthcoming season.

Ashley has encountered relegation twice in his ten year tenure, and this time, the only positive action replay, is he’s bounced back with Benitez – a top class manager ready to fire some bullets.

However, currently there’s no ammunition.

Season tickets are being renewed as if they’re going out of fashion, and the buzz around the park is greater than bees around a honey pot.

However, there is only a hum around summer’s signings.

In my opinion, the truth is there’s not enough cash being offered to other clubs with prospective players.

It’s no good Benitez being struck with a mammoth squad who aren’t good enough for the Premiership. Their wage bill alone could be chopped, and with the sale of some of them, could help to fund new blood.

It may have been a red herring when Ashley was reportedly offered £400 million for a take over by a Chinese contingent. Is he hoping for other offers so he can get out? The Toon Army says, with a bit of luck!

Sadly the 2017/18 season looks more like a competition for which team staves off relegation, and it could disappear like a damp squib.

NUFC can forget about challenging for a Champions League placing, as unless there’s one or two quality signings in the next few weeks, that’s a million miles away.

CHRIS ROBINSON, Gosforth