The lack of investment into the club is a major concern and with more players likely to depart the club, it seems there is a real possibility that we may have a weaker squad next season.
One fan on Twitter vented his frustration at Mike Ashley due to the lack of movement in the transfer market:
#NUFC why are we the only skint club, owned by a billionaire, in the league????
— sonofrafa (@elmarcosmasonos) 26 June 2018
Supporters replied to the tweet expressing their own opinions about the owner:
Short arms, deep pockets.
— Chris Mavis (@ChrisMavis90) 26 June 2018
Easy because he has only millions most of his fortune is in shares in sports direct invisible money is the best kind of money.
— Loken (@Loken2989) 27 June 2018
Because his money is decorating rooms #wallpaper
— Neil Mawhinney (@mrsticky182) 26 June 2018
Depressing.
— TMW (@TilehurstsOwn) 26 June 2018
We have the poorest billionaire. That’s why.
— Deyan Adamov ???????? (@DeyanAdamov) 26 June 2018
Because his past mistakes (all down to his own stupidity) have made him an even greedier owner.
— The Perennial Pundit (@PerennialPundit) 26 June 2018
We’re only skint because the club is keeping the billionaire a billionaire. #nufc
— DeKuip02 #FBPE (@DeKuip02) 26 June 2018
Because he can not he will not
— J.Q x (@OnlyJoeQuinn) 26 June 2018
Nothings changed its been like this for years under the FCB.
— David HUDDART (@DavidHUDDART1) 26 June 2018
Verdict
When Rafa secured the club’s top-flight status, it was expected that the purse strings would be loosened slightly, with TV money and improved revenue allowing for an increased transfer budget.
So far, that hasn’t happened, and with his previous track record, I am not hopeful that Ashley will free up the funds needed to give the manager the backing to improve his squad.
It’s very dispiriting as a fan to say the least at the moment. The Chronicle say that the first lump sum from the Premier League for TV rights arrives next month, and that could lead to bids being made, but we’ll have to wait and see.