Haha been meaning to do this for a few year now Tige - though I've put it off due to the climate at the club not being great. It's my dream to go there but I want to go when St James' Park is rocking to the rafters, the crowd is roaring and the team is playing that attacking cavalier football we all love.
I'm still a bit hesitant about that interview (seems the locals are split roughly 50/50 about it) - as this article revealed some interesting points.
"So Ashley decided to come – and went one step further on matchday by
agreeing to a long-standing request from Premier League paymasters Sky Sports to speak on camera.
David Craig, a client of Ashley’s PR adviser Keith Bishop, landed the interview. It was some scoop.
It was only a few minutes but
there were plenty of questions that were not posed. What about the recruitment blueprint? The Academy? Wonga? The free Sports Direct advertising? That damned Cup policy? Why – if he takes responsibility – has he not acted before now?"
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...mike-ashley-interview-newcastle-owner-9323684
I think the big thing now - if Ashley is dead serious about trying to win back the fans, is he needs to address those big questions and communicate openly to the fans. He can't just go back to lurking in the shadows and letting his minions continue in his stead. He admitted the ultimate fault lies with him so he has to show some leadership and get on the front foot.
I think the pessimist in me thinks this was a way to try and get season ticket renewals in for next season but I genuinely hope I'm wrong and that this is the start of a brighter period under Ashley. Time will tell.
I think many would give him a change of heart IF he could prove he genuinely cared for the club outside of the balance sheet.
As it stands, he said some promising things but those are just words - he's said some fairly incredible things over the years (when he has actually spoken) - but he needs to back it up with action and it can start with a good manager appointment. Get a Garde, Laudrup Galtier or even De Boer and it would get some excitement back in the sails. Sanction some much needed investment and tell the fans exactly what your intentions are for the future of the club.
Apparently McClaren is back as favourite for the job after being sacked by Derby. IMO, that would not be a good appointment - a poll by the Chronicle had 80% of fans saying they wouldn't want him.