NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew is confident that club owner Mike Ashley will give him all of the £35m the club received for striker Andy Carroll to spend during the summer.
The Magpies boss was today coming to terms with playing the remainder of the season without a man who he had been determined to keep, and is now comforting himself and the club's supporters with the prospect of a close-season spending spree.
Pardew said: "The one thing I said to Mike yesterday was, 'Look, if this boy is going to go, this money has to be reinvested in the team, all of it', and he has assured me of that.
"For the Newcastle fan, that is the most important message I can give today, that all that money will be used.
A Newcastle fan's attempt at burning his Andy Carroll shirt.
"Could it have been used yesterday? Late last night, we made a couple of bids, but we were getting extortionate figures thrown at us. It was ridiculous.
"Were we going to pay an overhiked price for a lesser product than Andy Carroll? No, so unfortunately as I sit here now, I am weaker than I was yesterday because I had Andy Carroll maybe four or five weeks away (from full fitness).
"No, I am not comfortable with it, but it is what it is."
What do you think?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel