Mike Ashley and his brains trust of Managing Director Lee Charnley, Justin Barnes, and PR man Keith Bishop attended the game today,
It was the first game Mike Ashley has attended since May of last year.
Mike Ashley at the game
Here are some comments from the Newcastle fans on Ashley’s presence.
Ashley finally bothered to show up for a #nufc game as a formality after the criticism he’s faced for not going to games. It’s not like he started givin a shit. Just a tacky PR exercise turning up wit his 2018 version of Dennis Wise/Jimenez. Even Rafa didn’t giv it any importance
— bobby martins (@BobbyGoa) September 22, 2018
Got to say our fans sounded tremendous today at Selhurst Park. I heard plenty of loud and clear anti Ashley songs on my stream #NUFC
— Robbie McMullen (@RobbieMac90) September 22, 2018
Didn’t even clock Ashley was there until checking twitter after the game. Thought we were just calling him a fat cockney bastard business as usual #NUFC
— NUFC2018 (@NUFC2018) September 22, 2018
This is interesting.
Rafa did not talk with Mike Ashley directly after the game as he was conducting his post-game media duties #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) September 22, 2018
There must have been a reason Ashley was there.. it’s not coincidence, he never does anything without a purpose #nufc
— samantha (@mumba88) September 22, 2018
Correction. The fact that #nufc are now 11pts behind and a 9 goal difference worse than *Watford* show how much we have been run into the ground by Ashley over the years.
— Alex Nicolson (@ANicolsonphoto) September 22, 2018
The best description of Mike Ashley at Newcastle. #NUFC #Ifrafagoeswego https://t.co/jg2bHvPKB8
— Kelly (@kelly2_morris) September 22, 2018
Dave – it’s not quite as bad as you describe.
Sounds like another pathetic effort by #NUFC today…what a lifeless club we’ve become. Ashley literally picking the final bones from our carcass. Escaping the drop will be some feat.
— Dave (@daveyK1234) September 22, 2018
I’m not saying we should be challenging for champions league either. But we should be challenging for top ten. But we will never challenge while we have mike Ashley as our owner. ASHLEY OUT. #NUFC #IfRafaGoesWeGo
— kieran bowes (@bowes_kieran) September 22, 2018
Please Mike Ashley just sell the club because this cannot continue,it’s an absolute disgrace #NUFC
— LifeOfADustbin (@MyDustyBin) September 22, 2018
What do people expect… We are Sports Direct United a club starved of investment for over 10 years. Perhaps if the fu**ing owner got in the players Rafa wanted we might have more attacking options. This is what we get thank to Ashley you should realise this by now. #Nufc
— Mr Err0r (@5yntax_Err0r) September 22, 2018
213 comments so far
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:32 PM
Comment #41NEW YORK and SHIREBROOK, England, July 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq :ICON ) (“Iconix” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with Sports Direct International plc (LON: SPD) (“Sports Direct”), pursuant to which Sports Direct has the right to appoint two members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Justin Barnes, of IBSL Consultancy Limited, has been appointed to the Board with immediate effect
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iconix-brand-group-announces-cooperation-agreement-with-sports-direct-international-300687077.html
Hiya JIB
jazzyp
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Comment #42Catchy
Never mentioned you at all kid but if you feel the cap fits mate,Then feel free to knock ya self out
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:36 PM
Comment #43Wonder when JIBs going to post something
Cant wait
Maybe we can get his mate MA to get involved on the blog
LMFAO
kimbo
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Comment #44I agree we have a decent defence but would have new left back. Midfield is useless and attack is poor. Tactics are predictable, substitutes are even more predictable.
Variation is the spice of life could be worth a try Rafa.
the ledge
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #45fulham were in the efl last year .
rafa didnt do too bad when we were in the efl as i do recall how did fulham do that year.
Our Toon
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:41 PM
Comment #46Rafa has got rid of players that are in the champions league and good quality players as well as they didn’t fit his style.
He’s got shite now but that shite he preferred to fit his defensive style, when a little bit of quality he refused to use it as they didn’t follow his instructions or didn’t fit his system. His system which is to nullify teams rather than setting up to win against teams.
Even after an awful performance again we’ve got a very good draw so we can’t really complain today. Pay pulis a fraction of what rafa is getting and he’ll serve the same brand of football though……mind numbing and dull
Our Toon
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:42 PM
Comment #47Ledge
They beat us at our place, in fact they spanked us at our place and I think they beat us at there place as well
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Comment #48We have the blame Rafa brigade out in force
Lets defend Ashley by blaming Rafa
Cant defend him directly can we
Hiya JIB
the ledge
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:44 PM
Comment #49we have one of the worst strike force in the league, mif/wing are average at best .
Toon XI
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:44 PM
Comment #50Gotta love the logic around here. The team finishes 10th last year and it was all due to our world class manager. This season we are horrific and Rafa is not remotely to be blamed. Give your heads a shake people. Yes, Ashley is problem number one, but Rafa is not exactly an inspiration to his players. Why is that so difficult for the Rafa lovers to accept?
We all want Rafa to succeed and for the Toon to put some points on the board. Problem is I think Rafa has been so used to managing with a chequebook that I think he really doesn’t know what to do right now. He seems berift of ideas.
I’m not certain his players are motivated by him.
Munster Mag
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:45 PM
Comment #51Ledge surely Rafa cud have given mitro more chances. We also sold mbemda who was OK. Mitro is more than just a big donkey up front. I dunno but he looks fitter and more focused under a new manager who wants to attack. Rafa needs to find a goal a game or we are goosed.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Comment #52Can anyone remember this ?
It is understood that in today’s training session they refused to carry out their pre-match walk-ons which show up in Sky Sports’ formation graphics – despite being contractually obliged to do so.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6951008/newcastle-strike-bonuses-mike-ashley/
Rafas fault
Best pre season i can ever remember
ToonLegend
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:47 PM
Comment #53Thanks Rafa for letting Mitrovic go, same shite today, tactical genuis my arse, if that was pardew he would have had the boos by now.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:48 PM
Comment #54Ah cause it was Rafas fault in believing he would be spending the money he got for Mitro
If he had of juts not believed MAs lies all would be ok
Im sure he loved not spending 30 million on a new striker and have to scrape a loan deal in
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:48 PM
Comment #55Aww where JIB
Justin Barnes
LOLZ
the ledge
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Comment #56its the same logic as judging a manager that s had his hand tied since we were promoted.
YES we finished tenth last year but everyone apart from spurs and us have improved.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:50 PM
Comment #57All them things Rafa won,means nowt to some people
It was all just some kind of fluke
Why believe he can do a good job when some random bloke on a blog thinks he could do better
Explain why your not in management and this guy is ?
Munster Mag
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:50 PM
Comment #58Ledge we had just about the best squad ever assembled in that league. Oh yeah and Fulham beat us twice playing us off the park once
Munster Mag
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Comment #59Toon, fans are entitled to opinions. Pardew knows more than us too but we can criticise him so why not rafa/fergie/ wenger etc
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:52 PM
Comment #60Where did all the money go ?
Its not playing football for us
Its never MAs fault
Hiya JIB
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:54 PM
Comment #61Munster Mag
WOW
Pardue is the worst manager we ever had,record braking bad.
But he can some how be compared to rafa/fergie/ wenger etc
Thats Catchy level bollocks
ToonLegend
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #62Pardew got the club to finish 5th with no backing and with an average squad whats Rafas excuse.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #63Infact didnt Pardue break worst ever manager records at every club he “managed” ??
Toon XI
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #64Toon22 – honest question, despite the lackluster squad, are you 100% pleased with how Rafa has managed the team and set up the style of play?
Munster Mag
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:56 PM
Comment #6522, you miss my point completely but work away.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:57 PM
Comment #66ToonLegend
Pardue got lucky and fluked it
He then went on to be an MA apologist and broke our worst ever whatever record multiple times
Whens he taking over at RM ?
the ledge
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:57 PM
Comment #67munster i dont think mitro would ever have worked in rafa system ,i dont think mitro will ever be world class .
judge mitro after a few seasons as for mbemba there was not to many clubs wanting to sign him someone must have know something carr missed when he was scouting him we nearly had to give him away.
our toon 22 and who finished top that year they beat us ?and who was promoted ?
Rotonda heights
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:58 PM
Comment #68some clown on here comparing our squad to watford’s. have you seen how much watford have spent!!!!
we are underdogs every game as everyone has outspent us and then some.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:58 PM
Comment #69Toon XI
Your missing the point
MA has no intention of us competing in this league
Nobodys going to be better
Your words defend MA by moving the blame from him,the only way of defending his is this
So your questions not valid
Hiya JIB
ToonLegend
Sep 22, 2018 at 7:59 PM
Comment #70Rafa will never get this club to finish 5th, so i would say pardew have got the bragging rights.
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Comment #71ToonLegend
Hiya JIB
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Comment #72How many worst ever records has Rafa “Won”
Theres another thing he wont ever match
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:01 PM
Comment #73Whens Pardue taking over at RM ?
They must be desperate to nab him before someone else gets there first.
Hiya JIB
the ledge
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:02 PM
Comment #74munster i agree we did have the best squad ,not the best starting eleven though and we won the league.
I do think rafa has the right to be criticized but not until he gets the chance to sign the players he wants or a least his 2nd choice
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:03 PM
Comment #75JIB
Justin Barnes
IS the director of Iconix
https://www.iconixbrand.com/about/
Brand management
Hiya JIB
the ledge
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:04 PM
Comment #76some fans rating the likes of pardew or Jokanovi? up there with rafa does make me laugh though .
ToonLegend
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:05 PM
Comment #77Dont care about other teams hes managed or coached.
Toon XI
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:05 PM
Comment #78Toon22 you are insane. I hate Ashley. Let me say that again so you don’t miss my point…I hate Ashley. He is without a doubt the reason we are in this mess.
Now with that point clarified, i’ll say this..great leaders take what they have and adapt. Your god Rafa completely lacks the ability to adjust his style. He refuses to adapt.
I pray Rafa succeeds. I want him to succeed. Something needs to change the attitude in that clubhouse. Period.
Rotonda heights
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:06 PM
Comment #79toon legend (- – – – more like)
Pardew had krul, cabaye, ben arfa, cisse, ba, tiote, guti and colo etc all in their prime.
who have we got now? Do engage brain first before making daft statements
toon22
Sep 22, 2018 at 8:09 PM
Comment #80The point is unless MAs goes we will rinse and repeat this for as long as MAs alive
So for me any talk of anything other than keeping the focus on our terrible owner is nothing but defending him
Yes its unreasonable,i didnt mean any offense.
Its an agenda,the opposite to the pro MA agenda you see here every single day