Les Ferdinand (talking to the Chronicle: "They (Ashley and Llamias) need to show ambition. I think Michael Owen is a great example at the moment.Former Toon Star Says Fans Need 'Patience'!
Les Ferdinand (talking to the Chronicle: "They (Ashley and Llamias) need to show ambition. I think Michael Owen is a great example at the moment."He didn't walk away in January. He's been patient to an extent and he's given the owners an opportunity to show there is going to be something to stay for in the future.
"He's basically been respectful, but also said 'over to you'.
"Turmoil is the key word at the moment, sadly. The season has been up and down and it all started when Kevin Keegan left.
"Mike Ashley put the club up for sale and then there was the silence.
"I think what it needed was for Mike to make a decision and now he's done that by coming out and making his plans clear.
"That is just the start of it, but you have to come out and talk to the fans, then back it up with action.
"To be fair to the board, they couldn't have predicted some of the things that have happened.
"Especially with the latest twist that has happened with Joe Kinnear.
"Of course, I pass on my best wishes to Joe and hope he has a speedy recovery.
"But something else needs to be sorted out.
"In terms of the management position, the club needs a plan and some stability that will sort them out for a number of years.
"It hasn't had that for such a long time, which is a major problem.
"The managing director coming out this week has been a step in the right direction.
"Everybody needs to know the plans.
"I know Dennis Wise has taken a lot of stick since he came to Newcastle, and Mike Ashley as well.
"But they did come in there with a plan originally to lay the foundations.
"When I say that I am talking about the youth side of it and the Academy.
"There are a lot of teams that are fractured in terms of finances at the moment and in trouble in terms of bringing through youngsters.
"I think what Newcastle are trying to do is get rid of the debt that was there as well as get plans in place for the future.
"The days are gone in terms of spending millions and millions of pounds.
"Even the top teams aren't doing that at the moment. They will spend, but there aren't many bottomless pits.
"It's a hard word to say, but patience is a key factor.
"I think that Newcastle need to make some statement signings in the summer which you don't have to pay the earth for. I don't mean silly money, but bolster the first-team squad and show people they want to go places.
"They need to make some positive signings and ones that are going to not only improve what they have, but also make sure they convince the current squad to stay there."