Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, divides opinions as they come, with his refusal to release transfer funds to manager Rafa Benitez during the summer window as earlier agreed still irking the Toons faithful.
While the Spanish manager will give his best to ensure the club retains its Premier League status if he remains in charge until May, there aren’t enough materials on ground to help him with the task.
It’s not the first time Ashley has made a decision that hurt the club, though.
Newcastle legend and summer departee goalkeeper Tim Krul believes the millionaire-owner was in the wrong when he showed now Brighton manager Chris Hughton the exit door 5 months to an impressive start of the 2010-11 season.
8 months prior to his sack, Hughton had just led Newcastle to victory in the 2009-10 Championship season, securing automatic promotion with five games to go and promptly returning the club back to the Premier League after just one season away.
Krul, who appears to have played his last game for the Tyneside outfit having been allowed to join Brighton last week despite having a year to run on his contract said of the unpopular decision: “Chris Hughton built a togetherness in the team. When we were in the Premier League we had a great start.
“They (Newcastle) kind of made a mistake there and I think Chris has proved that with what he has done at Brighton.
“I am looking forward to being a part of that journey and he was definitely a massive part of the journey at Newcastle.
“I had a great time there and I would have liked to have finish on a positive…but I will always have a positive view on Newcastle.”
Newcastle have clearly made another mistake by preventing Benitez from strengthening the squad during the window.
The club spent £36.4million, recruiting just 5 players, and if they wouldn’t regret that decision by the end of the campaign remains to be seen.
