The Chronicle reported last week after the defeat at Chelsea that Mike Ashley has no plans to replace head coach Steve Bruce despite Newcastle dropping to 17th in the table. The situation has since gotten more precarious with Fulham now just three points behind Newcastle with a much better goal difference.
Therefore a loss against Wolves at St. James’ Park coupled with a Fulham win at Crystal Palace next weekend will see Newcastle in the relegation places. Whether that scenario will cause Mike Ashley to have a change of heart remains to be seen.
However, last night’s loss at Manchester United has reportedly done little to move Ashley into action. Here is a tweet from the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards on Ashley’s stance, or lack thereof, on his embattled football club.
Told again this morning from sources that #nufc are not considering a change in manager. Now this can change in a flash if Ashley intervenes but I’m told he remains hands off regarding decision making at club which is low on list of business priorities at the moment ????
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 22, 2021
A defeat at Old Trafford was not likely to extract a response from Newcastle’s emotionally divested owner. Though a drop into the bottom three may be enough to get Ashley in motion. He can ill afford Newcastle going down this year if he hopes to get anywhere near his asking price for this club.
Fan group Toon For Change has issued an ‘urgent plea’ to Mike Ashley to replace Steve Bruce as manager. Here is a tweet from the group containing their statement.
#BruceOut #NUFC pic.twitter.com/x8niWmDUuy
— Toon For Change (@ToonForChange) February 21, 2021
This is unlikely to garner any response from the often stubborn Mike Ashley. However, if Bruce picks up nothing at home against Wolves on Saturday or at West Brom the following weekend, then Newcastle will likely be in the bottom three with just 10 matches to play. That is Steve McClaren territory where Ashley’s reluctance to act with haste cost Newcastle their Premier League status.
167 comments so far
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:47 PM
Comment #41Mund
One last thing.
I’ve gave my opinion on your view, using valid points and information, proving your view holds no water and is also hypocritical.
You’ve resorted to insults, innuendos and telling me to walk the dog.
Yet you claim I’m argumentative.
Your go to stance of insult and accusation during a debate, shows who you are.
Adamn_92
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:48 PM
Comment #42Everyone is entitled to their opinions, people say on here all the time. Some people’s opinion is that based on form and stats, we look like the team that will be going down as opposed to Fulham. Some peoples opinion is that we might not and we shouldn’t worry yet until the next 4 games. Neither is right or wrong. Same with the takeover, some opinions on it are that it seems far away and may not ever happen. Others are that it’s close and will happen. Neither is right or wrong. Debate is fine, but nobody should be presenting their opinion as fact or somehow more superior to somebody elses. I feel like that’s when it turns into arguments, as somebody doesn’t like their opinion being dismissed because someone thinks theres holds more weight. Debate and accept different outlooks, all our opinions are on the same footing.
Mister Tuff
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:48 PM
Comment #43Always arguing – give it a rest man.
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:49 PM
Comment #44Sorry Tuff
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:50 PM
Comment #45Apologies to the blog.
I believe I had a valid pointt.
I’ve made it.
Next subject
Mister Tuff
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:51 PM
Comment #46OP not you but happy clapper.
Mund
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:51 PM
Comment #47Never to blame are you fella 🙄
Like I said ever want to say it to my face let me know
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:52 PM
Comment #48Tuff
Less of the name calling.
Sets a tone we don’t need when times are tense.
Carson80
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:53 PM
Comment #49Perhaps we’re low on Ashley’s list because we’ve already been pretty much sold #CANS #CANS #CANS
Jail for Ashley
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:55 PM
Comment #50JR,
Have you had a bad turn, hope you’re ok.
Tsunki
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Comment #51Clap happy? I think we are more slap happy now. 🙂
I do think a tiny glimmer of sunlight was our first half and opening ten minutes of the second was better than we have done for a while, for decent periods our stats were better and we had them worried at times breaking forward.
We knew they were going to beat us and I believe “free hit” was even used, so to have a bit more of a go at them showed there’s potential in there to break the back of this relegation plunge it just needs some more coach input and Steve Bruce being sent out for the coffee’s and doughnuts more.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Comment #52Carson80,
That very telling interview with Graham Carr painted a very different picture in regards to Ashley not being hands on.
Munster Mag
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Comment #53OP and Mund, one is more negative, one is more positive.
C’est la vie, not a reason to fight lads.
We’re certainly not dead yet IMO , too many games. I’m worried but maybe we’ll get Wilson back.
Either way, try not to let it get too aggressive
( I know, rich coming from me etc)
Art least neither of you were pleased Fulham won the other night!
Rotonda heights
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Comment #54Mund
”let’s see what happens” Isn’t that what Bruce is saying.
Remember it takes 2 to argue.
Munster
Why don’t you just copy and paste your thought, rather than having to re- write it every day.
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:58 PM
Comment #55Jail,
I’m fine really, took a kick off one of the horses yesterday and it shook up something in my back but aside from feeling the kick today it’s not caused anything lasting. Own stupid fault for turning my back on him.
Munster Mag
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:58 PM
Comment #56Tsunki I think Tuff might have got the wong end of the stick re Happy Clappy , unless Im misreading Mund.
Mund
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:59 PM
Comment #57So the debate was with OP but the usual candidates have there say 🙄 it didn’t last long
You need to get out more boys
hibbit
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:59 PM
Comment #58Carson @49 do you actually believe ??
Munster Mag
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:00 PM
Comment #59Carson , love the Fast Show reference 🙂
Mund
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:01 PM
Comment #60SALMAN
@l_005
·
6m
(If you want to sell your house, you will not maintain it, you will sell it in its current condition so that you do not spend the money) This applies to Newcastle and Ashley.
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:02 PM
Comment #61That wasn’t a great Man U team, not even a good one.
A result was well within our reach.
I won’t accept, it’s Man U, we expected to get beat.
I never EXPECT to get beat, I always expect a win or draw from somewhere, no matter who we play.
What pleasure can you have in a fan, expecting to get beat or accepting a defeat?
What Kind of player or manager expects or accepts defeat before a game?
None worth having.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:04 PM
Comment #62Just wondering if the high press, high intensity game leaves our lads too knackered to maintain it for the full 90 minutes. Especially if we get nowt from that period of play.
Certainly looked that way on Sunday!
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:05 PM
Comment #63OP,
Fully agreed, it’s not even like this is the Man Utd of old under Ferguson when they had genuinely great teams. Their defence is poor, midfield is workmanlike and they just have a lot of pace in attack. Fernandes is easily their best player and aside from a penalty I can’t exactly recall seeing him do too much.
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #64Mund
Thing is, it’s not in the same condition as when the price was agree.
Giving the buyer reason to walk, owner should realise this and act.
If I’d waited this long on a house deal, I’d be having another inspection.and considering my offer.
Wor B
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #65Anyone else prone to bouts of nostalgia?
Hardly seems 5 minutes since we were complaining about mid-table mediocrity.
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:07 PM
Comment #66EGB,
That was my big worry with trying to implement it mid season when we were already looking so unfit. Rarely ends well, you need a good preseason to get players up to scratch to play that way.
Adamn_92
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #67That house analogy makes no sense, people do their house up, make improvements and add stuff to it all the time so that the value goes up?
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #68JR
Agreed.
The only thing this and old sides have in common, is the decisions they get.
Bang average Man U side.
hibbit
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:11 PM
Comment #69if you want to sell a house in the uk and and want to achieve market value+ as Ashley does you have to maintain it,
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:11 PM
Comment #70Any news on Wilsons injury?
Saw a few mention him last night?
Hope he and or the club aren’t rushing him back.
We’re desperate but not desperate enough to lose him all season.
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:12 PM
Comment #71OP,
Given that VAR is meant to catch everything, missed decisions like last night should be getting fully investigated. There’s no excuses not to see an incident now so surely that has to point to some kind of foul play? Or maybe I’m just paranoid.
Adamn_92
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Comment #72OP
Think there’s a little optimism that the injury isn’t as bad as feared. Definitely shouldn’t rush him back though, he’s crucial to any chance of survival. Be better to wait an extra game or two till he’s fully fit rather than risk him early, get injured again and is out for all the remaining games.
lochinvar
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:16 PM
Comment #73What we need is
High Press on – High Press off
On / off, on / off
shake it all about
do the Brucey Kokey and you turn around
That’s how you loose, get nowt
All together now
Oooh, Brucey Cokey etc etc etc
Adamn_92
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:16 PM
Comment #74(If you want to sell your roast chicken, you don’t roast it, you sell it in it’s current uncooked condition, so that you don’t spend the money in cooking it.) This applies to Newcastle and Ashley.
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:17 PM
Comment #75JR
I’ve no idea.
Almiron was blatantly pulled back, would have been clear through coming in from the left.
Commentator said “did well using his left arm to stop Almiron getting away”
Did well?
You’re describing a foul and a yellow card.
Same as the Pen, weak as anything.
Pundits basically describe a dive, then claim definite pen.
The Mcguire incident i didn’t see until after the fact Lascelles should have been screaming.
VAR is only as good as those watching it, we aren’t and haven’t ever been a team to harass the ref, maybe we’re used to not getting them.
I won’t blame the decisions last night, ref was shit, exactly what I’d expect at Old Trafford
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:18 PM
Comment #76JR
Why aren’t pundits bringing the blatant errors up?
Asking why there still no consistency?
Hendrick got a yellow last week, not even a free kick this week.
lochinvar
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:21 PM
Comment #77WorB
I remember them days
Fading memory
Mid table eh, Dad woul say
Hush yer mouth man, Mam would say
Let the bairn enjoy his gruel
These days all we have is some bones to knaw at and relegation talk. No wonder me Da’ s doon the club drinking. He hasn’t been since we were 11th in the table. By eck.
coming home
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:31 PM
Comment #78Strange that, I’m just in the middle of selling a house, I’ve agreed price with the buyer and just waiting on the solicitors to do their jobs.
No way am I spending another bean on it.
Romford mag
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:33 PM
Comment #79https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/trevor-sinclair-admits-newcastle-fans-19887144
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 3:33 PM
Comment #80OP,
There has to be something going on. They’re only just starting to call out the likes of Salah in the media for getting away with diving because it’s literally a couple of times at least every game. The whole refereeing structure in this country isn’t good enough. It needs culled from top to bottom. I hate to admit I actually agree with what Souness was saying over the weekend. Start fast tracking ex players through the training now and tell the PMGOL that they’re done in a couple of years. If they can’t keep their house in order, someone has to do it for them.