Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines for Wednesday, January 13.
Premier League's takeover Government meetings
The Premier League met twice with the Government to discuss the Saudi-backed takeover bid earlier this year.
The takeover ultimately fell through, but throughout the process, fans, MPs and the press were consistently told that Downing Street would not be involved in the decision-making process as the Premier League conducted the fit and proper owner test.
However, the Foreign Office has confirmed that it held two virtual meetings with the Premier League at the request of the league. Officials from the Middle East and North Africa Directorate and the British Embassy Riyad were also involved.
The Premier League's process has been called into question by local MPs since then, with Premier League chief executive Richard Masters telling Blaydon MP Liz Trust that they want 'the matter resolved in a timely matter.'
You can full analysis of this development here.
Inside the current crisis
Chronicle Live reported on Tuesday night that Steve Bruce is not in any immediate danger, despite Newcastle sitting narrowly above the relegation zone having just lost to the league's bottom and only winless team.
However, as Lee Ryder highlighted for Chronicle Live on Wednesday morning, the club is in disarray and there is growing pressure on Bruce, the players, the hierarchy, and ultimately Mike Ashley to turn things around.
Ryder explains that Bruce is working a difficult job. Players that underperformed for him against Sheffield United, during a global pandemic, and under an increasingly absent owner who is eager to sell the club, not invest in it.
Newcastle's next three games are against a resurgent Arsenal, Leeds United, who recently dismantled them in a 5-2 defeat, and Everton, who are just four points off the top of the table.
You can read more analysis about Newcastle's current crisis here.
Listen to the latest episode of The Everything is Black and White Podcast
Bruce comes under heavy fire
Warren Barton has slammed Bruce amid growing pressure on the Newcastle boos.
Bruce has come under fire from Newcastle fans for his negative tactics and uninspiring coaching. And Barton believes that Bruce, as a Geordie, should understand better what fans want.
"I think it’s a mindset,” he told TalkSPORT when asked about the criticism of Bruce. "I think of Newcastle going forward, being ambitious, winning games. Steve is going into games, not just now but all this season and last season, it’s about not getting beat and that sets a tone in the game.
"You’re playing against Sheffield United yesterday who haven’t won a game. You know they are going to be petrified and they are going to be nervous. We let them get into the game, we let them get a hold of the ball and we let them get some tempo. Forget about the red card. Even before that, the tone was set.
"Even when he gets interviewed afterwards, Steve, he’s supposed to be a Geordie from that area. When he wins the game there’s no passion. I remember Sir Bobby Robson and he’d be smiling from ear to ear, and Kevin Keegan as well.
"I used to walk into St James’ Park thinking: ‘how lucky am I to be playing for this football club?’ I don’t see that from the staff, I don’t see it from Steve, and I feel for the players because I think there’s enough quality to be playing a lot better, attractive football and winning games than what we’re doing at the moment."
