Studs Up

Mike Ashley is the best. Just when it seemed like the Big Four were about to take over all headlines again for the forseeable future, he stepped back into the limelight with some seriously batshit-crazy leadership and shook the whole season up.

It seemed like the legendary fatto had taken his licks and receded into the shadows, quietly embracing the stability that Chris Hughton had brought and quietly waiting for someone to make him an offer on the club. But no. In what was almost certainly a grease-and-fat induced tirade, he throws out the man who righted his ship and brings in whose claim to fame within the sport is being reckless, arrogant, sacked and relegated.

Newcastle just became must-read news and ensured endless media attention and turmoil from now until Pardew gets sacked (March?). With sort-of-still-in-turmoil Liverpool at St. James’ for the first match of the “new” Newcastle, we’re in a win-win as far as dramatic fallout from the result with either Pards or Roy taking it in the face with a loss. Unless they draw… then it’s not a win-win. Confusing.

The more a season can be defined by action outside the Big Four, the better in my opinion. So while everyone is calling for the departure/assassination of Mike Ashley, I commend his commitment to being an absolute nutter.

Huzzah!