Fans must continue to support Newcastle United

While this past transfer window was among the most abysmal in Newcastle’s recent memory, there is a lot to look forward to. Optimism has always driven the fans of the club to continue going to matches, and to continue cheering for their players in black and white.

Boycott Mike Ashley and his business? Sure, one can do that. But they won’t get much out of it as fans will continue to buy season tickets, merchandise, and more. The best thing you can do is continue to support your team, not blindly, but with as much optimism as you can muster.

This is Newcastle United we’re talking about. Don’t act like you’re surprised that nothing happened. Don’t act like you’re surprised Mike Ashley went back on his promises to a fantastic manager. It’s Kevin Keegan all over again.

It’s hard. It sucks. The feeling that your club is going nowhere is certainly a feeling that generates dread and foreboding for the future. The biggest fear is the reaction that Rafa Benitez will have to this failure.

The inadequacy of the transfer window could very well drive Rafa away. But remember, it was our faith, our love, and our belief in him that he could make this club better, no matter the circumstances, that made him stay. Remember that. It wasn’t Ashley, it wasn’t the players, and it wasn’t money.

It was us.

And now it’s up to us to continue to show that faith. To show up each and every week to cheer on the boys in black and white and give them our all, just as they give it to us. Rafa Benitez is giving it his all. We must do the same.

This is different than blindly following your club. Newcastle fans are anything but blind. We’re wide awake, and we’re well aware of the circumstances that Newcastle United finds itself. But that doesn’t mean we should throw that support away, and stop attending matches and buying merchandise because we believe that it will make the owner sell the club. It won’t happen.

But the least we can do is reciprocate the love and devotion that Rafa has given us. He and the club deserve that much. Even if Mike Ashley deserves nothing.