As Newcastle fans recover from celebrating their team’s well-deserved return to the Premiership, thoughts will begin to turn to next season. Mike Ashley is never going to be forgiven by some of the Toon Army, but the successful promotion campaign has provided a diversion. It is clear that Ashley is not going to splash the cash next season, following a policy of recruiting young up-and-coming players and imposing a strict wage limit.
As Newcastle fans recover from celebrating their team’s well-deserved return to the Premiership, thoughts will begin to turn to next season. Mike Ashley is never going to be forgiven by some of the Toon Army, but the successful promotion campaign has provided a diversion. It is clear that Ashley is not going to splash the cash next season, following a policy of recruiting young up-and-coming players and imposing a strict wage limit.
Given the difficulties encountered by clubs like Hull and Portsmouth, perhaps that is not such a bad policy to follow. Wolves and Burnley offer contrasting examples of promoted clubs that have followed prudent policies: one looks likely to survive and one looks likely to be relegated, although in the case of Burnley the change of manager may have been crucial. But even Wolves have had a struggle and the Toon Army will be expecting more than survival. Perhaps Stoke offer a better example to emulate.