Source: Daily_Mail
Will Newcastle fans ever forgive Mike Ashley?
It was the declaration that the majority of Newcastle United supporters were expecting. And, deep down, dreading too.[LNB] Unpopular owner Mike Ashley is going nowhere and will continue to run the club as he sees fit.[LNB] [LNB]My way: Mike Ashley has set out his vision for Newcastle[LNB]Ashley has continued to signal his intent, setting out the future for the club with a fresh Mission Statement before the draw with Tottenham which kept up the team's impressive unbeaten start to the season.[LNB] More from Colin Young... Northern Exposure: Stadium of Light, where most Mackems have been kept in the dark04/10/11 Northern Exposure: Hartlepool show Newcastle and Sunderland how to pull in the big crowds27/09/11 Northern Exposure: Pardew under no illusion over enormity of his Toon task20/09/11 Northern Exposure: Bruce facing biggest test yet as a few familiar faces return to Sunderland15/09/11 Northern Exposure: More than bragging rights at stake in the opening Tyne-Wear derby19/08/11 Sunderland busier in transfer market than Newcastle... but there's a long way to go15/07/11 Make mine a treble! Sunderland splurge nears ?30m as Brown, O'Shea and Vaughan sign up07/07/11 Northern Exposure: Joey is right, Nolan is more than just a footballer to Newcastle15/06/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE And that's the rub for the fans who still sing 'get out of our club' at least once a game, particularly away from home. Newcastle are fourth and looking like a very efficient team who are good to watch again.[LNB] So does it matter who owns Newcastle United? [LNB] Can Mike Ashley be forgiven and his policies accepted? [LNB] In fact the weekend statement just reiterates what we knew all along. The club will be run on his terms, in the way he has taken Sports Direct from virtually nowhere to a leader in the sports retail market. [LNB] In business he has been ruthless, he has seen off the competition and run things at cost to make profits. So why not do it with his football club? [LNB] Newcastle expect to break even this financial year, helped by substantial sales of key players of course, but it is still impressive in today's game, and means they are already close to working within the boundaries of UEFA'S Financial Fair Play rules.[LNB] There has been investment throughout the club and the undersoil heating at the training ground may not seem significant but any player or coach who has endured the most recent North East winters will know how vital it will be to have soft green pitches to train on during the extreme weathers that lie ahead.[LNB] Bargain buy: Newcastle paid ?3m for Gabriel Obertan[LNB]But football fans expect more visible investment. And when a board accepts more than ?50million for elite players they adore, they expect big names to replace them. Newcastle have not gone down that route. The new Mission Statement makes that clear.[LNB] 'For us as a club rash, short-term spending is not the answer and the days of Newcastle acquiring 'trophy' signings who command huge salaries for past successes on the pitch are over,' he said.[LNB] 'Such players have generated excitement and anticipation in the past but ultimately have left the club poorer and with little to show for it in terms of our standing in the league and cup competitions.[LNB] 'Our focus now is to bring in players who can develop and fulfil their potential at Newcastle.'[LNB] The recent transfer record is certainly impressive and Graham Carr's eye for a player, and a bargain, has secured a smooth transition. As Sunderland have discovered, gelling a new squad is not straightforward and Newcastle arguably suffered bigger losses with the sales of Jose Enrique, Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan.[LNB] It was a bold decision to move on key figures in the dressing room and leave a group of strangers to build on the drive, camaraderie and spirit which has been the foundation of Newcastle's transformation from a fractured and relegated giant. It certainly wasn't popular.[LNB] There are real tests ahead and the squad is threadbare, and so far Pardew has been fortunate with injuries and has selected the same starting XI for the last month, with Hatem Ben Arfa, a real genius with the ball, straining at the leash to play his part.[LNB] Just as brave was the decision to sack Chris Hughton. Because of his popularity, and the association with the owners, Pardew's battle to win over supporters has been as slow and methodical as his influence on the team. He accepts it is their team as much as his, but they play his way.[LNB] Right time: Pardew says he has a good relationship with Ashley[LNB] The Newcastle manager has given an insight into his dealings with Ashley. All managers will have sympathy with him and Newcastle fans at least know they have a man in charge who has some understanding of Ashley's motives and is prepared to stand up to him. Good luck to him with that, but it has to be healthy.[LNB] Pardew said: 'We've had plenty of disagreements in the year I've been here but not a falling out and I don't think that'll happen. That has to be good for Newcastle fans.[LNB] 'The worst thing that can happen at a club is the manager falling out with the board and I don't think that's going to happen here, I really happen. It doesn't mean to say he won't sack me, but in general I think that's a good thing to have. [LNB] 'If you think he was enjoying the abuse he gets, I'm telling you he doesn't. He doesn't say much and he hasn't said much to me. I like to think I'm as tough as anybody in terms of taking criticism and I've had plenty of it, but it still hurts.[LNB] 'I think he's had problems in the past, he's had some bad advice if I'm honest, and he's found himself now hopefully with a team he enjoys watching and hopefully at some point - and it ain't going to be tomorrow or next week - he' ll be seen to be running the club in the right way.' [LNB] Newcastle close in on ?8m deal for long-term target Maiga Going nowhere! Newcastle turn down Derby's loan offer for defender Perch[LNB] [LNB]
