You see that great big ditch down there? The one big enough to swallow St. James’s Park? That’s how far my heart sank when I heard the news that Chris Hughton was offered the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Firstly, this is a huge backwards step and reeks of the lack of ambition wafting out from the Gallowgate. If there was ever a sign that we are a disfunctional club with no ambition whatsoever, this is it. I mean, it’s hardly inspiring is it? The only, and I really do mean only, positive you could take from this, is that the players who were wanting Chris Hughton to be made gaffer (the same Newcastle players to blame for shoddy performances), will now get their way. They better bloody put in decent shifts or there’ll be hell to pay.

Chris Hughton is a nice guy and a good coach. He is not a manager. Newcastle fans, is this really where you see our future? From where I’m standing things are looking bleak right now.

Hope beyond hope is that Barry Moat manages to obtain the resources to takeover NUFC and then we can build for the future.

Ashley out.

Speaking before the charity game for Sir Bobby Robson’s charity, Shearer said:

“I am the same as everyone else, I am in limbo. I don’t know what is going on.

“Everyone is telling me there are people in to buy the club. If that is the case, then great.”

“I want it sorted out as quickly as everyone else does.

“I’m a fan like everyone else and I don’t like to see the situation the club is in.”

This is a damning indictment of the situation Newcastle United finds itself in. If the favourite to become the next boss knows just as much as the next bloke on the street, then it’s no wonder we’re up the creek without a paddle. You just can’t run a football club that way.

Hopefully the Geordies present at St. James’s Park when we play Leeds this week will let their opinions be known. Something needs to be done and quick. Forget the start of the season, there’s only five weeks left for the new manager to operate in the transfer window. If nothing happens before then (worse case scenario), then things could look very, very bleak for NUFC.