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Mike Ashley continues investment promise but are Newcastle United fans being fooled?

When Mike Ashley appeared before Sky cameras, ahead of Newcastle’s final game of last season against West Ham, promising to invest in the squad until the club wins something he was met with much skepticism, from not only the majority of the club’s fans but from the footballing world in general.

Since the billionaire owner’s interview, Newcastle have recruited two coveted European stars for a joint cost of £27.5m. In fact, the additions of Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic are the third and fourth most expensive transfer signings in the club’s history. A far cry from Ashley’s approach to the club he acquired for £133m in 2007.

Indeed, Sports Direct supremo Ashley has been heavily criticised for his frugalism, disparate recruitment policy and reluctance to invest in recent seasons. Adopting a policy of buying young, promising players, with high sell on potential, Newcastle United has become a selling club.

Now, when Ashley spoke to Sky he pledged a policy of investment which would, eventually, lead the club to winning trophies. On the surface, it would seem that the two high profile signings are a testament to Ashley’s apparent vision. However, it would be dangerous to put faith in both the owner and those at the club responsible for bringing in new players.

Both Wijnaldum and Mitrovic directly fall under the club’s transfer policy of having a potential higher sell on value. It would seem that the players brought in, and those linked with Newcastle currently, all fall into the category of being younger than 26.

The problem with this, for me, is that the club are pursuing a course without compromise. To win a trophy a strong team must be built. Don’t get me wrong, signing young players is great, they can be skilled and hungry enough to prove their worth. Nevertheless, there are players over 26, and indeed over 30, who would be great additions to the squad yet are overlooked by the club’s hieirarchy.

The question is: Are Newcastle really building a team to win something, as we’re being told? Or, are we sticking to an ideal of only bringing in players who will later generate a profit? If Ashley is serious about winning something and the club truly want to construct a winning team then pragmatism must be employed.

Ashley has made a catalogue of errors throughout his tenure at the club. Trust between club and fanbase has eroded. It seems to be a great mystery as to whether the club will continue to invest and ‘bolt the horse on’ to the cart, as Ashley described. Undoubtedly, it’s encouraging to see Newcastle investing heavily in renowned talent, although if Ashley really is serious about challenging for something then the club’s recruitment policy must diversify.

I’m not saying ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ (Apologies Alan Hansen) but generally speaking, successful sides employ a mix of players. Until Newcastle make some astute signings, namely recruiting good players who do not fit into the current model, I won’t be convinced by Ashley’s words.

I look forward to seeing the new stars play their trade but I take the recent movements with a pinch of salt, remaining unconvinced.

What do you think? Are Ashley’s recent signings a strategic move to win trophies or is the billionaire businessman simply continuing to buy to sell, but only on a higher scale?

Let us know your thoughts. All views are welcome.

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