The Fish
Winger
I 100% agree that a proper owner who makes systemic changes to the club would be better than Ashley, or the Saudis, or some American FSG-lite group. But they're thin on the ground. I also don't think you need double relegations for that change to happen.The Newcastle fans have also been sold a lie. In my opinion a takeover by PIF will be the worst thing to happen to Newcastle. Due to transfer and wage inflation the investment required to get in the top 4 (or even 6) is astronomical and the cited additional 50m per season will barely touch the sides and will immediately be swallowed up in wages and fees. I've stated before that the economics of Newcastle and Sunderland do not lend to self sustainability and both require a benevolent billionaire to do it the old way of buy, buy, buy. We tried with ES and it failed. The 50m per season will ensure they will be in the Prem but perhaps 10-20 points better off, not owned by Ashley but instead being owned by a hate regime. The best thing that could happen (in all seriousness) is relegation, even double relegation and for Ashley to let it go for 100m to a proper owner. Not some US LBO or potless SD chancer type but someone who can rebuild and find a playing identity with a new data driven strategic approach rather than splurge, fail, repeat. Hopefully that is what we are starting to do? I suspect no Newcastle fans will see this however.
I don't think top 4, or top 6 is achievable, regardless of the owner (unless there's a change in the way the footballing world turns).