Newcastle: 5 Ways Mike Ashley Can Restore The Faith This Summer

4. Back A Bold Recruitment Drive

Word on the grapevine is that Ashley will fund a significant squad rebuild during pre-season, with the Journal suggesting a senior figure in the dressing room has been reassured that up to eight new additions will arrive during pre-season. After two barren transfer windows it would be a welcome change of tact from the owner who has retained a Vulcan-like grip on the budget at St James'. The Premier League's new TV rights deal and the sale of Yohan Cabaye meant the club has over £60 million burning a hole in its coffers. He's just reluctant to do so. We do concede that Ashley deserves high praise for bringing Newcastle's balance sheet back from the brink after the costly impact of relegation and there is no doubt the club's accounts are in a rosier state in the drive to self-sufficiency. However, 16 months after the last permanent signing sanctioned by Ashley the Newcastle squad is in desperate need of new blood at least, to invigorate an ailing dressing room and giving the green light to a major overhaul would represent a significant change in approach. Starting with a replacement for Cabaye and the player featured on the next page would go some way to reinforcing the trust between owner and supporter.