A message to NUFC fans ahead of Steve Bruce's 'imminent' appointment..
So, Steve Bruce's appointment is now considered 'imminent' and he's expected to be announced in the next 48 hours as the new manager of Newcastle United.
The abuse directed at him has been widespread and will only get bigger, with many justifiably outraged at the idea of an incompetent ex-Sunderland boss replacing Rafa Benitez, however I think it's a good time to remember who the real enemy is here - Mike Ashley.
I am not suggesting we should now turn up in our thousands at St James' Park and get behind Bruce (we should do the exact opposite!), but we must now allow our anger and frustration to be directed at the symptom, Steve Bruce, when it's the disease, Mike Ashley, that's really responsible for the shambolic summer we've been forced to endure.
This is the man who's stripped us of all hope and excitement for the new season, not Bruce.
This is the man who's let us believe a takeover could've been in the offing without a single shred of communication all summer, not Bruce.
This is the man who made no genuine attempt to keep world class manager Rafa Benitez, not Bruce.
This is the man who refused to sign Rondon and has failed to replace our £30m top scorer with just weeks of the window left, not Bruce.
This is the man who's yet to sanction one signing so far this summer, not Bruce.
This is the man destroying our club, stripping us of our assets and betraying legends, not Bruce.
This is the man who laughs in our faces and continues to crush our dreams just to earn a few quid, not Bruce.
This is the man who's made our replica shirt the most expensive in England and upped season ticket prices, not Bruce.
Many will question a man taking the job under an owner who has done all of the above, but Bruce - a Geordie and boyhood Newcastle fan who's been out of the top flight for years - was never going to turn down this offer.
Bruce is an absolutely unforgivable Rafa Benitez replacement, because of his managerial record more so than his time at Sunderland, but it's vital we remember that Mike Ashley is the real enemy here.
If we allow Ashley to get away with this, he'll genuinely believe he can get away with absolutely anything, with this summer being the lowest of the low - and that's saying something after 12 years of misery and mistakes.
As a result, we must make a stand. Time to #BoycottArsenal, #BoycottSJP and #SupportOurToon.
Let's empty the stands and fill the city on the opening day of the season next month, with us urging fans to watch the game with friends / family in local bars or pubs - a way of supporting local businesses and enjoying matchday's WITHOUT lining Mike Ashley's pockets.
With a takeover 'stalling' and Steve Bruce lined up, the situation couldn't be clearer - It's time to hit Ashley where it hurts and make some short term sacrifices in a bid to get our club back.
Let's take a stand - together!
