Lack of ambition stops players wanting to sign, claims Lee
NEWCASTLE United legend Rob Lee feels footballers ‘don’t want to play’ for the club anymore because of the lack ambition shown by Mike Ashley. Manager Rafa Benitez made three signings in the January transfer window. All were on loan but Lee feels that more is needed if United are to become a comfortable Premier League side.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, he said: “There is no point in Newcastle getting into the Premier League then keeping the same players that got them there.
“Sometimes you need better players. Bournemouth and Watford have both spent more than us. Newcastle is a huge club but it does not feel like that anymore, people don’t want to play for them anymore. We were challenging the top teams like Manchester United and Arsenal, had trips to Europe, but it all seems so far away now.”
Lee played more than 400 times for United between 1992 and 2002 and played a crucial role in both the Kevin Keegan side that nearly lifted the Premier League trophy in 1996 and Sir Bobby Robson’s side in the early 2000s.
But Lee feels that the days of the Magpies challenging for top honours and taking on the big clubs on an equal footing are long gone.
“It is a shame. The club has been in decline for such a long time,” Lee added.
“Mike Ashley takes one step forward and then three giant steps backwards.
“It is time now for change, we need change, we need someone else to take the helm.
“It has become a stalemate.”