Ashley Wants More From Toon Academy

05 November 2013 11:08
Alan Pardew was left short in the summer as Mike Ashley refused to open the biscuit tin ... instead the NUFC owner told the manager to start making use of the Acedemy he has ploughed £15m into.

Pardew was left with egg on his face, insisting "the squad is healthy in numbers because the Academy kids took a lot from the European games last season."

But yesterday's hammering by Aston Villa U21 side has us asking questions - has it been money well spent?

Callum Robinson bagged a stunning hat-trick as Villa recorded a resounding victory in the Barclays U21 Premier League match at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.The convincing performance came against a Newcastle side fielding three players with first-team experience – Gael Bigrimana(pictured right), Haris Vuckic and Adam Campbell.Gordon Cowans’ youngsters proved far too good for the Magpies.

Skipper Daniel Johnson, fresh from involvement in the first team squad two days earlier, found the mark with a 66th minute penalty and a further goal on 90 minutes, while Villa also scored through a 39th minute own goal.It was a pulsating start as Magpies striker Adam Armstrong scored in the fourth minute, but Robinson equalised three minutes later. Villa went in front when a Newcastle defender sliced Bateman’s cross into his own net and Johnson’s spot-kick increased the lead.Vuckic’s 79th minute strike gave Magpies hope, but Robinson’s 85th and 90th-minute goals and Johnson’s second enabled Villa to finish in style.

Source: Newcastle United Mad

Source: FOOTYMAD