OPINION
Frustrations at Newcastle United are running at an all time high at the moment, and that’s saying something.
There have been several periods of uncertainty and irritation on Tyneside since Mike Ashley took the helm back in 2007, but it is arguable that this summer represents the most erratic and precarious spell of his tenure to date.
With a takeover supposedly in the pipeline, but little in the way of tangible evidence to suggest that it is actually happening, and with Rafa Benitez out of contract in just 12 days, it’s difficult to see where the Magpies will be this time next month, let alone this time next season.
And despite the club being used to Ashley’s stingy ways, represented by a net spend of just £53 million on players since taking over at St. James’ Park, as reported by The Mag, this summer it feels like the controversial businessman is plumbing new depths.
With regards to Benitez, never before has the loss at stake been greater, and never before as he pushed things as close as he is at the moment in terms of time.
And that’s certainly the opinion of Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas too.
Writing on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday, he said: “The timelines for everything are getting so, so tight at Newcastle. They knew there was a lot to do this summer and nothing has been finalised.
“Unless something major happens, June is going to be a wasted month.
“It is beyond baffling/negligent.”
The timelines for everything are getting so, so tight at #nufc. They knew there was a lot to do this summer and nothing has been finalised.
Unless something major happens, June is going to be a wasted month. It is beyond baffling/negligent.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) June 19, 2019
It’s hard to argue with him. Newcastle have known about Benitez’s contract from the day he signed his current deal, and they must have realised that there is a need to invest this summer to at least keep pace with the clubs around them in the Premier League.
But now, as June ebbs into July and that dreaded deadline looms for the Spaniard, it almost feels as if the owner is being wilfully obtuse.
It’s one thing to run a club poorly, but it’s another thing entirely to mess things up when all the tools you need to make a success of it are at your fingertips.
If things go awry, as they threaten to do, Mike Ashely should hang his head in shame.
The sad thing is, the Toon Army know that he won’t.
