Soccer Portal

Harry Redknapp stated yesterday that he was bemused by the level of abuse Mike Ashley was receiving from Newcastle United fans as Alan Pardew called for some respect to be attributed to his employer.

The draw against Tottenham yesterday proved that Newcastle are well equipped to take on the larger sides with questions of their previous opponents raised before the game.

After four wins and four draws: the undefeated streak has left Newcastle in a very comfortable fourth position, ahead of Liverpool and Tottenham with a better goal difference. It is perhaps time that Ashley deserves some credit for the recent transformation, stability, form and finances at the North East club.

The mission statement released yesterday by managing director Derek Llambias declared some harsh realities for the club but many positives can be taken from the document. A clear sense of direction is highlighted throughout while he alludes to the fact that long term stability and financial control remain the key objectives for the future. With Newcastle on course to breaking even in the next couple of years: Ashley is ensuring that the frivolous spending under the stewardship of Freddy Shepherd is a thing of the past.

Wage Expenditure
Newcastle have a bad history of signing mercenary players that ultimately signalled the demise of the club, underlined by the relegation in 2009. Newcastle were relegated with a wage bill in excess of 70 million pounds which was one of the highest in the league at that time, a bill impossible to supply with revenue from the Championship. Ashley managed to reduce the bill by roughly 30 million pounds by kick off in the Championship the following season, easing some of the pressure on the club.

To the loath of Newcastle fans, Ashley was still moving on the players of that era throughout the previous window but with replacements such as Cabaye, Tiote and Ba performing so well at present, and on wages that are economical, should Newcastle fans really be worried? The reality is Newcastle is finally being governed in a way that represents their true status and stature as a premier league club. They are purchasing hungry young players from leagues, sourced through the excellent scouting network under Graham Carr.

Unrealistic Targets
The fans have always demanded success, arguing that the size of the club merits trophy's and star studded line-ups. Unfortunately, stadium capacities do not determine a clubs right to win honours. There is no doubt Newcastle fans are among the most passionate in football but the high level of demand has caused instability at the club since Kevin Keegan came agonisingly close to delivering that elusive league title.

Sir Bobby Robson restored some of the glory years with two outings in the champions league but was unjustifiably dismissed under the mismanagement of Shepherd. Shepherd backed his rebellious dressing room over the manager, which made the job impossible for the subsequent men in charge.

Newcastle have a history of ejecting the manager early into his reign from pressure through the fans, or the club owners. Ashley has also contributed to this record, but with Pardew now on a long term contract it is clear that he has appointed a man in whom he wants.

Ashley inherited a club haemorrhaging money, living well above its means after spending excessive sums of money on players with large wages who added no value to the club. Players who were no longer required by their previous clubs as they were overrated, or simply well known troublemakers who were no longer required.

Future
After such a positive rapport with the Newcastle fans, travelling to away games, engaging in drinking sessions and wearing the jersey proudly, Ashley cuts a rather subdued figure when appearing at home games. Often sporting a plain white shirt, his quiet demeanour now makes it impossible to distinguish whether he has the passion that was once so visible. But what is clear is an efficient business practice under Ashley who is safeguarding the future of the club and his investment.

Ashley stated a long term plan of self sufficient governance, a club run by the money generated annually with expenditure relevant to income. The club were operating at a loss of 37.7 million pounds before player trading in 2008/9. The figure was reduced to 33.5 the following year with the 2010/11 accounts expected to range roughly less than 5 million pounds. Such a turnaround must be credited to the prudent nature of Ashley and his team.

The club can draw comparisons to the excellent financial model exercised at Arsenal. It is hard for fans to understand long term planning as success is measured on a daily basis at premier league clubs but the truth is that expectations are misjudged. With financial fair play crucial to future planning for clubs throughout Europe, it is possible that Newcastle and Arsenal are way ahead of their rivals.

Newcastle seem to be doing all the right things. The club state they are focused in developing players for the future. Peter Beardsley has been appointed as the football development manager. It is clear that the club realises that supplementing players to the first team is a cost effective measure. The sale of Andrew Carroll incurred a healthy sum of 35 million pounds from Liverpool in the January transfer window. With players such as Shane Ferguson and Sammy Ameobi breaking into the squad, it is important to continue the cycle annually. Player development will increasingly become important at all Premiership clubs in the future, Newcastle are ensuring that they act now.

A possible scenario for Newcastle lies within Ashley's personal objectives. It was not so long ago that he was prepared to take a considerable loss to rid himself of the club but failure to do so forced him to turn things around. It could be acceptable that he may plan to float the club in the Premiership for three or four seasons, extract as much finances as possible with little expenditure to seek a return on his investment. With a healthy balance sheet and a saleable asset, he may wish to cash in on a premium price. The fear here is how much resistance would he show if sizeable fees came in for players such as Cabaye and Tiote? This however is unclear and it must not overshadow the levels austerity he is introducing at present.

Is it possible to suggest that Ashley is one of the best club owners in the premiership? Only time will tell as Newcastle are still in the very early stages of a revival. Continued success on the pitch will surely appease some of the support in the stands. Right now fans are unwilling to reduce the animosity, but the future looks bright under Ashley and it is time they halt the abuse and give the man some credit.