Mark Douglas has been speaking on the latest edition of the Everything is Black & White podcast about all things relating to Newcastle United.
One of the main topics that the Chronicle reporter spent some time on was Mike Ashley after he decided to back Steve Bruce rather than sack him, with the Toon deep in relegation trouble.
After Newcastle lost to fellow strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion, it was revealed that Ashley was sticking by Bruce.
After further discussions on Monday, that has remained the same, despite Newcastle’s dreadful run of results in recent months.
Ashley claimed earlier this month that he was still trying to get the proposed takeover of Newcastle pushed through so that the fans get what they deserve, yet he won’t replace Bruce.
Douglas thinks that fans are frustrated with the lack of leadership that he has shown.
He said: “I think, the general feeling is that he does want [the] takeover to go through.
“So, there’s not a ‘get out of our club’ mentality because he wants out; he did try to sell it in the summer.
“What the frustration is that they’re blaming Ashley because he’s not taking a decision to change the manager; they feel that he’s choosing the wrong option with Steve Bruce and showing a lack of leadership.”
Do you think Ashley has shown a lack of leadership?
Yes, he should have made a quick decision on Bruce
No, he has done the right thing
TIF Thoughts on Ashley…
Ashley has made some truly horrible decisions while he has been the owner of Newcastle United, and this latest one could turn out to be another one to add to the list.
Last season, Bruce guided the Toon to a 13th-place finish ten points clear of the relegation zone, so not a bad first season in charge.
He then added the likes of Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis and currently has the Toon in 17th place, two points clear of the relegation zone.
There has been a clear regression by the Toon this season, but Ashley has not acted, and with just nine games to go, Newcastle could be relegated for the third time since he became the Toon’s owner.
In other news: ‘Utter farce’, ‘Charlatan’ – Many Newcastle fans enraged by latest Steve Bruce update