Newcastle United legend Rob Lee has slammed Mike Ashley for the lack of transfer activity and fears the worst for his former club.
The ex-Magpies star is concerned about the lack of backing from owner Ashley towards United boss Rafael Benitez despite exceeding expectations last season.
Lee also admitted that he was surprised that the Spanish manager still remains on Tyneside after his failed demands to develop a squad that still consist of players that won the Championship title two seasons ago.
“I genuinely fear for them, I really do. They overachieved massively, finishing 10th last season. Everyone in football knows that,” Lee said, as quoted by the Daily Star.
“Rafa Benitez did a magnificent job and most owners would have recognised the fact and backed him to the hilt during the summer.
With just two days remaining of the transfer window, Newcastle are unlikely to complete a big-money move for a player that can guide the club towards the ultimate target this season – surviving relegation. The club performed above and beyond expectations last season but there has been no significant improvements to the squad. There have been signings made but those have consisted of foreign players who are not guaranteed to exceed on Tyneside. Rob Lee is correct in the comments he has made about the Newcastle owner as there are clubs with lower fanbases in the Premier League that are still attracting footballers for transfer prices that would shatter Newcastle’s club record signing fee of £16 million. Benitez will not be able to carry on with this treatment much longer and, with the manager yet to extend his contract at the club, could be forced to make an exit which would crush the hopes and dreams of Newcastle supporters who see the respected manager as their only hope to restore success back to the club for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson’s reign.
