I'm in agreement that we will only ever be also-rans under Ashley.
He's stated his case of letting the club generate the disposable income and for that to be spent on the team/squad/staff.
Basically speaking we keep a well run club that can tread water and have the occasional flirt with the top half of the premier league and potential scrapes at the wrong end, yet still remain pretty solid as a running club.
I want more than that.
I want the chance to compete at the very top, based purely on the size of the club and city and fans of it and around it.
I want to see speculation for accumulation in terms of educated gambles for the betterment.
I want to see owners who are willing to take a few hits in order to get things right.
I want to see top players giving us some exciting football.
I really do want to see all that happen.
It would be exciting.
If this Amanda Staveley and co can set this in motion with a long term attitude, then we have an excellent chance of actually being put firmly on that map and actually staying there.
Maybe this is the kick start the north of England needs...starting with Newcastle United.
Sir John Hall and co took a calculated risk and nearly managed some success... and can be looked on as a sort of success compared to what we endured previously. However, when Abramovich and co came in, there was no way in hell that Hall and co could compete, no matter what money they could muster...but this time it's a different (potential) matter, because we are attempting to play ball under similar circumstances to those big hitters, potentially.
As it stands right now it's a case of, what's not to like?
Hate Ashley for as many reasons as you can muster if you want to but keep in mind one major thing.
This sale (potential sale) is in the offing because the club is in a stable condition with everything in place to actually just move ahead with player tweaking and not much else to get in order.
When you take a look around at most other football clubs, you realise that, although our club isn't ripping up trees, it is in a better position to soldier on long term than many who have or are shooting their bolt.