Alan Pardew has said that he has to have a ‘Bigger Vision’ than local media and some fans, claiming he has to look after long-term good of the club.

That said, in my lifetime, specifically as a kid, I never dreamed after an introduction of Alan Shoulder and Bobby Shinton that I would see NUFC be silver medalists (effectively) twice more in the FA Cup and more incredibly runners up to the eventual Champions of England on a further 2 occasions.

I have never seen us win a domestic trophy of note and my birthdays are whizzing round like a Bigg Market taxi meter. I was too young to celebrate the Fairs Cup win despite the casual attitude to the legal drinking age by many Newcastle bars.

We just have to accept that Ashley is a very clever operator who will do a deal if the price is right for him even if it’s not necessarily right for the short-term future of the club.