OPINION
Saturday was a day for joy at St James’ Park – unless you were a Cardiff City fan of course – as Newcastle United romped their way to a much needed three points in their relegation battle.
Goals from Fabian Schar, the defender netting his first two strikes for the Magpies, and Ayoze Perez secured a comfortable 3-0 win over the Bluebirds, leapfrogging Neil Warnock’s side to leave the drop zone and push their Welsh counterparts down in their place.
However, as is nearly always the case on Tyneside, there was something of a sideshow to take note of, Mike Ashley watching on from the stands for the first time since November as speculation circulates over the future of the British businessman, talks of a takeover seeming to hit a brick wall in recent weeks.
Ashley has been at games before but there have been no suggestion that he and manager Rafael Benitez have met face-to-face – until now.
The Daily Mail claim that the Spanish boss was visited by Ashley and his right hand man Justin Barnes after the Cardiff game to hold talks and with the club struggling both in the league and in the transfer window, fans will not know whether to laugh or cry.
Could it be Ashley informing the manager he is to have funds to spend this month to strengthen the side? Is it a case of the businessman confirming or denying rumours about his future?
Either way, it is stated that the pair have not spoken since the Autumn and until the silence is broken over these talks the fans will not know what to make of them.
For the supporters’ sake many will hope that they gave Benitez some hope of transfer dealings this month, or even Ashley sanctioning a loan deal or two from abroad, with frustrations growing by the day over a lack of business.
It is significant that Ashley chose now to speak to Benitez – now we will all have to wait until Benitez speaks to find out what it could have been about.