As a Liverpool fan, I have only an indirect interest in your plight, having been firmly in the IRWT camp when he was at our club. Not only a top manager but a top bloke. I understand the concern of the cynics who believe protests and staying away don't do any good. And yet I'm reminded of Einstein's definition of insanity: "Doing to same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Something's got to change. Staying away and not buying his shirts is a protest which hurts Ashley's pocket. Holding up banners once you've paid him is a protest which is going to hurt him much less. Does he lose money if you leave early? How much screen time is your banner going to get on Sky? Think of it in his terms: you're paying for advertising, so how much bang are you getting for your buck? I thought the north east used to be fully versed in the power of a strike. Staying away is a strike; holding up banners once you're in is crossing picket lines and hoping you can speak to management. Anyway, Rafa's likely to walk long before you've written any banners, so it seems moot. Whatever, I wish you all the success in prising Ashley out. I really only came to let you know there's an interesting Guardian piece on it. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/25/newcastle-fans-ultimatum-rafael-benitez
Cheers fella. You're bang on regarding the bit I've highlighted....isn't this exactly what Ashley is doing though? He comes out with the same crap season after season, "I don't have the money to put into the club personally", "The manager can have every penny the club generates"......yada yada yada. All smoke and mirrors to fill us all with false hope, most of whom are now immune to his underhand scummy tactics. Come the transfer windows, again we're scraping the barrel and being told to sell before we can buy whilst still expecting the best manager we've ever had since Robson to just bend over, take it up the arse and sign a nice new contract! I support the club and the team., not Ashley or Charnley and I will give my full backing and support to whoever is in the dugout in charge of the team, whether that's Rafa or whoever, my position does not change. I don't buy into all this "ifrafagoeswego" shenanigans. Do people honestly think that if Rafa walks that SJP is suddenly going to be empty on matchdays? Even if it was, who is that going to affect most....Ashley or the players? I'm guessing we've probably sold in excess of 30,000 season tickets for next season so that should answer the question for you ! The sooner people realise that there is absolutely **** all we can do to get rid of Mike Ashley the better. Go to games, don't go to games, each to their own and there is certainly no judgment from my side, we're all entitled to our own opinions and views. Shop in sports direct or don't, again each to their own. None of it will make any difference to him. He's a billionaire for ****s sake and has been long before he came on the scene at our club and will still be long after he has gone. Short of him keeling over with a heart attack he's here for the foreseeable in my eyes. Thankfully our next generation of fans though will already be accustomed to what a monumental bell end he is! Son - daddy daddy can I have the new Newcastle kit for my 6th birthday Dad - sorry son but no Son - why not daddy Dad - cos Mike Ashley's a **** !! Son - you fat cockney bastard, get out of our club
I get the feeling Ashley has the value mentality you often see in Brits. Someone comes into work with a new top and gets complimented on it, to proudly respond, "four pound, Oxfam". He probably sees it as a badge of honour that we've not broken our transfer record since Owen. In fact, considering our most expensive signings under him have been Wijnaldum, Mitro and Thauvin, none of whom exactly set the world alight, you could see why he justifies the lack of spending to himself. The players we need to sign to bring us up to the next level (top 8 every season, CL football regularly) will cost £40m-£80m each. Ashley thinks he can maintain us mid-table by making canny signings of players who are average to good, at an average price of about £8-12m. Some seasons that works, some it doesn't. That's where we're at. Just hope we can get a cup in the next couple of years so Rafa can leave with a legacy as he has everywhere else he has managed.
Apparently Rafa's release clause is now expired having entered the last 12 months of the deal: https://www.teamtalk.com/news/surprise-newcastle-twist-as-rafa-benitezs-6m-buy-out-clause-expires This is a rehash of the S*ns reporting but would make sense. The article also suggested Rafa has sacked the agent who oversaw the contract 2 years ago due to being unhappy with the clauses in place within the deal.
I don’t think Ashley would jump ship or was trying too. He was trying to sell for more than the Club is worth but that’s still a nasty comment to make about your father.
