Ex-Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray has come to the defence of Mike Ashley in an interview with his current employers beIN Sports.
The most controversial comment is that fans shouldn’t be expecting the owner to be spending a “quarter of a billion” on new signings:
Needless to say, supporters reacted furiously on Twitter to Gray’s comments:
He hasn't spent any money this year. £20m + in profit. Gray is an idiot, cant even get simple basic facts right. Embarrassing
— Mark Porteous (@portogeordiepig) 23 August 2018
Please just stop
— Sam (@samst22) 23 August 2018
This is just so lazy in terms of journalism. Making up what the fan base want. Mike simply needs to do what he says and give rafa what the club generates and pay for using the club as a billboard at the market rate to maximise the clubs revenue. Simple.
— Mark (@Denster85) 23 August 2018
Why should finishing 10th be good enough for any fan?wheres the money gone?why does it feel like every window we get just enough to survive? Just another Ashley lackey interview
— Darran (@Darboak) 23 August 2018
Utter Nonsense FFS
— Dave. (@DaveNUFC58) 23 August 2018
Gary's a football dinosaur. His opinion is worthless, along with others who've crawled out of the woodwork in the last couple of weeks.#nufc finished in 10th because of Benitez ability as a coach, nothing more. He's also turned a profit in his dealings Do the maths Andy.
— Lambeth Mag @IfRafaGoesWeGo (@psad2) 23 August 2018
One fan asked why Andy Gray was interviewed when many ex Magpies players are available:
Wonder what @alanshearer @7RobLee @mickquinn1089 @No1shaygiven think of this interview? All ex players with big respect from the fans for speaking against Ashley, it's a shame you don't want to hear their views on the matter eh.
— Geordie-InOz85 (@ToonFan85) 23 August 2018
2.6m a year investment, 2 relegations, free advertising. The man just made a 24m profit on transfers alone. Then had the nerve to announce he was buying House of Fraser on transfer deadline day for 90m……but what have Newcastle fans got to be annoyed about?
— John E Haaaaall (@EllyHallLykAye) 23 August 2018
beIN sports , you are loosing all credibility by the day
— Rob Hayles (@hayles_rob) 23 August 2018
Andy, what do you think of the fact that #NUFC has been relegated twice in 10 years under Ashley's stewardship? Do you truly believe he's doing right by the club and the fans?
— Adam Tait (@aboutthetoon) 23 August 2018
Gray is as ill-informed as you can get regarding the situation at the club. Nobody is asking, least of all Rafa, for Ashley to spend huge sums on transfers. All we want is for the owner to back up the promise of spending every penny generated by the club.
He hasn’t even come good on that one. Our £20m+ profit in this transfer window has essentially tied both hands behind the manager’s back, and considering the lack of investment, it’s hard to see how the club will persuade Benitez to stay beyond the end of the season when his contract expires.