Stanley Steamer:
Seven Costanza said:
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the club's current position (I don't think anyone else doubts this either)- safe in 8th place- is exactly what Ashley wants. Look at what happened last year with European football for Newcastle and what Swansea is going through this year. Ashley wants his investments back, that's all. Best way to do that is get as much league money as possible without having to shell out extra on squad depth/wages and travel.
EDIT: What Ashley is doing makes perfect sense from a business perspective. I think it's a disservice however to one of the biggest clubs in England and Europe.
Mike Ashley has been and will continue to be a shrewd businessman. Compared to the Hall/Shepard regime before him, he's a goddamn saint from a dollars and cents perspective. He just wants his money back and knows that this is the best way to do it- finish anywhere from 12-7th, buy low, sell high, etc. NUFC won't turn in to Portsmouth or Rangers or whatever, but they'll never 'go' anywhere either.
EDIT: And it behooves Ashley to be astute w/r/t financials as there's no way he could ever flog the team off for a profit otherwise. He got burned when he bought the club by not fully investigating what kind of financial shambles the club was in- and he knows whoever comes after him won't make the same mistake.
