Toon Army ‘do not believe Ashley wants to sell now’
FANS WON’T BE FOOLED ANY MORE, SAYS FORMER UNITED STAR WADDLE
CHRIS Waddle believes Newcastle United fans are no longer convinced Mike Ashley serious about selling the club.
The former Toon and England winger is frustrated by the lack of investment at St James’ Park but still hopes there can be a saviour on Tyneside.
However, Waddle summed up the mood of the Geordie faithful when asked about Ashley.
He said: “I think it is pretty obvious to everyone by this point that Mike Ashley has no intention of selling Newcastle United.
“Every transfer window he claims we’re close to getting new owners as justification for him not spending any money, but I don’t think anyone is falling for that anymore.
“Mike Ashley is content to just bank the TV revenue and isn’t particularly worried about what everyone thinks of him.
“He has Sports Direct advertised all around one of the biggest stadiums in the country and he is well aware of that value.
“Any prospective buyer must look at the size of the club, its quality facilities and passionate fans thinking it has limited potential. It really is a gold mine if they strike the right note. Mike Ashley is clearly shunning their advances and he will never admit it.”
But Waddle is impressed with the job that Benitez has done given the circumstances. He said: “Benitez is doing a great job at Newcastle and the fans love him for it. “Neutrals might think he would be under pressure with a club the size of Newcastle fighting relegation, but he has probably overachieved considering the circumstances he’s working under.
“Newcastle didn’t want to be in the FA Cup and it’s no coincidence that the club has been knocked out early practically every year under Mike Ashley. “Premier League survival is the club’s first and last priority because that’s where the money is and they don’t want to risk any distractions or injuries. Benitez made massive changes against Watford because the board will have wanted him to focus on the Premier League.
“It’s a shame because it is obvious that Benitez wants to compete for trophies and the fans would love nothing more than a cup run. I think managers sometimes get a hard time for the teams they field in the FA
Cup because it’s obvious they’re under directions from the owners to prioritise the Premier League at all costs.”
Waddle, speaking to SportingBet, would love to get a deeper insight into life at United, and feels a Sunderland-style documentary would make for intriguing viewing.
He said: “I would love to see Newcastle do something similar to Sunderland’s documentary series on Netflix.
“I think it would be great viewing and I know fans would love to get a closer insight to what happens behind doors at the club with players, transfers and so on.”