SAM Allardyce says Newcastle United, worryingly, are slipping behind Sunderland in the spending stakes under Mike Ashley.
Allardyce was the first Newcastle manager to be dismissed by Ashley, who axed him in January just seven months after he took charge after a dismal run of form.
And the former Bolton Wanderers boss – still yet to find another job since leaving St J
ames's Park – has watched developments over the past few days with interest, with Kevin Keegan and the club's hierarchy involved in a stand-off.
Allardyce, has contrasted the transfer activities of United and their Tyne-Wear rivals, who are being bankrolled by an Irish consortium under the guidance of chairman Niall Quinn and manager Roy Keane.
The 53-year-old says United need substantial investment if they are to once again challenge at the top of a league dominated by hugely wealthy foreign owners whose fortunes dwarf that of Ashley, himself a billionaire.
"Can they still be considered as a leading club? In terms of fanbase, history and tradition, yes," he said.
"In spending firepower and achievement, no. You have to say they are nearer the bottom than the top.
"To get up there, the modern game demands that a club will require in excess of £100m to spend on improving the playing staff. When you have another billionaire arriving, like at Manchester City this week, the task becomes harder.
"Look at Sunderland, they've spent £85m in the last year. Niall Quinn and the owners have supported Roy Keane brilliantly. All they have asked for is progress.
"At Newcastle, that's not enough. They have demanding and passionate supporters who want success, they've waited long enough.
"They are used to seeing the club in the top five spenders – even if some of the signings haven't always been good – but that hasn't happened, has it?"
The full article contains 310 words and appears in Shields Gazette newspaper.
