Newcastle Unwittingly Supporting Boycott

Over the last three years, Newcastle supporters have been right behind their side. With Rafael Benitez at the helm, there was hope and a united force. Players, manager and supporters all on the same page.

Now, Benitez has left the club to manage in China, leaving a gigantic void to fill. Newcastle remain without a manager, although they are close to agreeing a deal to bring Steve Bruce to the club. Newcastle have also lost three important players from last season. Mo Diame was released after his contract expired, top scorer Ayoze Perez has been sold to Leicester for £30M and Salomon Rondon has gone back to his parent club, West Brom.

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As has been a familiar theme during Mike Ashley's ownership, Newcastle United are their own worst enemy. It has been rumored that at least 10,000 season tickets have not been renewed ahead of the new season. That is astonishing, especially for Newcastle supporters who have been there through it all. Everyone has a limit and it seems Newcastle fans have finally reached theirs.

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A supporter group 'Empty For Ashley' are organising a boycott of the first game of the season, against Arsenal. The news that the club have made Sheffield Wednesday manager, Steve Bruce their number one target, will undoubtedly gain more support for 'Empty For Ashley'.

The club have been left in an unthinkable position. Key players leaving and no sign of incomings. Newcastle are in a state of flux, they remain stagnant and motionless.

If Newcastle supporters were ever going to vote with their feet, now is the time. The atmosphere on Tyneside is nothing short of toxic. A potential takeover has gone quiet yet again, leaving supporters in the dark.

The club must decide what on earth they are going to do. It would be absolutely suicidal to let this charade continue. Newcastle leave for the Asia Trophy over the weekend, their first game is against Wolves on Wednesday. Barring any last minute problems, Steve Bruce will be in the dugout for their game against Wolves.

Newcastle's hierarchy were first made aware that Benitez would not be renewing his contract, early in May. Two months have ticked by with the club failing to do anything to resolve a situation that can only be described as laughable.

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One must wonder if Ashley is even bothered by the bad press he receives, as the Newcastle owner remains emotionless to anything connected with Newcastle United.

'Empty For Ashley' are working hard to gain more support, to gain the support of those supporters who do not use social media. The way the club is being run at the moment, the club are doing 'Empty For Ashley' a huge favour.

Through all of this though, Steve Bruce looks set to be the man to replace Benitez. Bruce, who has turned the Newcastle job down in the past, would see this as his last opportunity to manage the club he supports.

The problem Bruce faces in taking the job, he is not Benitez. In fact, almost any successor to the Spaniard is seen as a massive step backwards. There will be uproar from Newcastle supporters, something that will be hard to turn around and get the supporters back on side.

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Newcastle fans have spoken, enough is enough. Replacing Benitez with Bruce appears to be the final straw for supporters. The club now have to do something that is alien to them, communicate.