Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has warned the club's supporters to be "careful what you wish for" as a section of the Toon Army continue to protest for owner Mike Ashley to leave the club. The Magpies have lost eight games in a row and are perilously close to the the Premier League dropzone with just three fixtures remaining this season. Their horrendous form, the club's transfer dealings and various PR blunders by the Newcastle hierarchy have led to an "AshleyOut.com" campaign, with protests outside St James' Park, a boycott of the stadium and various banners being made and held up. Yet Howey, who made 191 league appearances for the Magpies between 1989 and 2000, fears that Newcastle could go the way of Leeds United or Portsmouth and tumble down the divisions if they are not careful when demanding Ashley to sell up. The 43-year-old former Manchester City, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers defender told Sky Sports News:
"I will make this point, and I know Newcastle fans will probably batter me for this, but I think youve got to be careful what you wish for with a new owner. I dont think Ashley has done brilliantly but at the same time he could sell up and Newcastle could turn into a Portsmouth or a Leeds. "I always said through the Alan Pardew campaign: 'Be careful what you wish for'. Youve got to be really careful. Even though its dreadful at the moment, financially theyre on an even keel. "We dont demand a team that wins, we just demand a club that tries. "Everyone thinks Newcastle are a club happy to be in the Premier League and be mid-table but everyones massively disappointed that they dont even bother going for any of the cups. Theyre a great opportunity to get into semi-finals and Wembley."
Howey does not inflate Newcastle supporters' expectations, as so often occurs in the national media, but the four-cap England international did reiterate the sentiment of Magpies fans at Leicester. A banner displaying the following phrase was held up at the King Power Stadium last weekend: "We don't demand a team that wins, we demand a club that tries!" For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.