There seems to be some sort of unofficial strike at Newcastle with the feeling that everyone has downed tools. Players needing to be shipped out with a handful still yearned for by Rafa Benitez to meet his ambitious target of not battling against relegation week on week.
The usual influx of transfer rumour inbound replaced by periods of nothing. Not even the regular release of made up stuff that surrounds a typical Newcastle transfer window with the long list of names.
Of course, things can and usually do change at St James’ Park at the drop of a hat and with things complicated by an active World Cup Finals, the smart money would be on this being the main barrier to most things but that’s neglecting the history of Mike Ashley’s tenure here at the club.
Even Rafa Benitez himself said at the back end of last season that he wanted business done early with a show of ambition by the club to prove they are serious about progressing the club and with Rafa adding that the World Cup wouldn’t be a hurdle in achieving his goal, it all points to the continuation of frustrations in how things are done here with an obvious conflict in the weeks or months ahead.
With Rafa in the last year of his contracted deal here, there is no sign of any new contract being signed and there won’t be unless ambition is found from somewhere but this seems a million miles away and against everything Ashley has shown in how he wants his version of the club to compete.
Things may be calm now but the storm clouds are gathering.