Wigan owner Dave Whelan, who knows Mike Ashley "very well", describes the Newcastle owner as one of the greediest men he has ever come across. And the former Spurs fan is currently hiding away from Tyneside.

Yet ... amazingly ... former Toon star Rob Lee says "Mike Ashley can win over Newcastle's fans by appointing Alan Shearer as manager".

Let's face it ... Ashley is a dead-man-walking.

Gordon McKeig was unpopular, as was Westwood the Pirate, but I cannot remember anyone as hated at St James' Park as Ashley is at this current time.

Unless Ashley sells, the January transfer window seems to be one way traffic with top players leaving the club and no-one of any pulling power to attract the big names.

And Ashley has already said he is keeping his money in his pocket.

If ever the warning signs of relegation were ringing around Gallowgate ... it is NOW!