• Football

  • Premier League

Newcastle United News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Video
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Stats
  • Squad
  • Transfers
  • Sky Bet
  • Super 6
More from Football
  • Football Home
  • Premier League

Dennis Wise defends Newcastle owner Mike Ashley

Last Updated: 13/08/18 2:55pm

Mike Ashley has been criticised for Newcastle's lack of spending in the transfer market
Mike Ashley has been criticised for Newcastle's lack of spending in the transfer market

Dennis Wise has defended Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's running of the club amid continued criticism from supporters.

Since taking control of Newcastle in 2007, Ashley has endured a turbulent relationship with the club's fanbase, often due to a perceived lack of investment on the field.

Ashley's purchase of House of Fraser department store chain for £90m on the eve of the Premier League season did little to appease Newcastle fans, following a transfer window where the club had made a profit.

"Unfortunately whatever he does, he will constantly take stick. It's as simple as that," said Wise, who spent just over a year as an executive director early in Ashley's tenure at St James' Park

0:28
Watch Newcastle fans' protest against Mike Ashley on Saturday
Watch Newcastle fans' protest against Mike Ashley on Saturday

"There are a lot of people out there that don't help the situation. They want to bring it onto him.

"People complain about them not spending enough money but if you trade well at a football club and you're able to bring players in and take players out and make money, I don't see what the problem is with that."

Newcastle sold Aleksandar Mitrovic, Mikel Merino and Chancel Mbemba for a combined total of around £40m during the summer, while there were a lack of high-profile arrivals.

2:59
Newcastle 1-2 Tottenham - highlights
Newcastle 1-2 Tottenham - highlights

Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto was Newcastle's most expensive incoming player, costing £9.5m from Mainz, while Salomon Rondon arrived from West Brom on loan.

Newcastle suffered a narrow defeat to Tottenham in their season opener at St James' Park on Saturday and Wise is confident Benitez's side can build on the performance.

"I thought they competed extremely well against Spurs," Wise told Sky Sports News.

"I look at Newcastle and I think they're a team who will be in a comfortable position by the end of the season.

Also See:

  • Alli heads winner for Spurs at Toon
  • Premier League grades
  • Benitez: We deserved a point
  • WATCH: Newcastle fans in Ashley protest

"I think Rafa's actually turned around and said they have improved their squad so that says it all really doesn't it?"

Newcastle face newly-promoted Cardiff live on Sky Sports on Saturday in their second game of the season.

Soccer Saturday Super 6

FREE TO PLAY: Do not miss your chance to land the £250,000 jackpot for the fifth time this year.

Trending

  • 1
    Sacked Ancelotti set for Everton talks
  • 2
    Coward? Jabba The Hutt? Whyte rates rivals
  • 3
    Klopp hails 'sensational' Salah strike
  • 4
    Lampard: January spending won't impact youngsters
  • 5
    Liverpool player ratings
  • 6
    Sessegnon excited by Jose's Cole comparison
  • 7
    Chelsea need their older heads too
  • 8
    Spain seal Davis Cup glory
  • 9
    Revealed: Who is on Arsenal's shortlist
  • 10
    When is Champions League last-16 draw?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Tackling Racism
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK