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Les Ferdinand has his say on anti-Ashley protests and the need to appoint a manager

9 years ago
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Newcastle legend Les Ferdinand has entered the Newcastle United fan protest debate.

The former NUFC No.9 (and 10!) says that United need to appoint a permanent manager as soon as possible to give the club a chance of moving forward.

Ferdinand believes the intentions of those who boycotted the Spurs match are correct but foresees supporters will find it impossible to stay away if there is any kind of initiative to boycott next season.

Les Ferdinand talking to BBC Sport:

“Frustration is starting to boil over, supporters are desperate for progress and I think they feel they have hit a crossroads in recent years and become a mid-table team without really challenging,”

“Mike has put a lot of money into the club, stabilised the club, but it’s pushing it forward that the supporters want and they don’t believe he is doing that.”

“Their (boycotters) intentions are right but we are nearing the end of the season and people will have two months away from football, they won’t be able to wait for it to start again, they’ll be back in numbers supporting the team.”

“I feel for John because I was thrust into that situation with Tottenham Hotspur and Tim Sherwood last season.

“When you come in as a caretaker manager until the end of the season and players know you are only there until the end of the season, you get some players that down tools unfortunately.

“Sometimes they down tools knowing this guy isn’t going to be the manager next season. It’s horrible to say that perhaps they are not trying as hard as they should be trying.”

“Part of the frustrations of the fans is because they haven’t appointed a manager.

“That’s added to everything else that’s going on. A new manager coming in, depending on who that manager is, the supporters will get behind them because they want to see the football club doing well.

“The sooner that appointment is made and everyone knows the way forward the better it will be all round.”

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