James Robson: "In and around St James’ Park – sorry, the Sports Direct Arena – they’ve learned to brace themselves for owner Mike Ashley’s latest brainwave.
"Whether it be appointing Dennis Wise director of football, putting his faith in TV pundit Alan Shearer to mount a survival battle, sacking Chris Hughton or selling off the family jewels in Andy Carroll, long-suffering Newcastle fans have learned to expect the worst.
"This, they didn’t see coming.
"Not after Alan Pardew had steered their side to third in the Premier League, undefeated after 11 games on a shoestring budget.
"Morale among the Geordies hasn’t been so high since Bobby Robson was at the helm.
"Even Ashley couldn’t ruin this one. Or could he?
"In one fell swoop the Newcastle owner has wiped away nearly 120 years of history and risked disenfranchising one of the most loyal supporter bases in English football with the decision to rename the club’s iconic stadium.
"It is his tackiest move yet.
"Whenever speculation has arisen about renaming Old Trafford, it has been met with fierce opposition from fans already desperate to oust the Glaziers. And when City renamed their stadium in July, a United spokesman was insistent the Reds would not do likewise.
"The Glazers may well monitor the happenings in Newcastle while back home in Florida – but to follow suit would be a PR disaster as far as their fractious relationship with fans is concerned.
"There is an argument to suggest the Glazers simply don’t care they are so unpopular among a proportion of supporters of the club they own. But they are not stupid."
Source: FOOTYMAD
