Mike Ashley Comments on Alan Pardew's Status as Manager of Newcastle

When it comes to Newcastle, almost nothing is ever straightforward.   

According to The Independent's Vivek Chaudhary, club owner Mike Ashley said that defeat to Stoke City on Monday will cost manager Alan Pardew his job.

"He's got one more game," Ashley said. "If we lose against Stoke on Monday night then he's gone. I have had enough."

Chaudhary also wrote:

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Making a throat-cutting gesture, Ashley added: "Dead. Finished. Over. One more game then that’s it. What would you do? I have spent a lot of money on that club, it's cost me a lot. I won't put up with it any more. Honestly, answer me, what would you do? One more loss and he's gone, he's over, finished."

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However, Ashley's lawyers later stated that the comments were made in jest and that Pardew's job isn't actually on the line over the coming days.

Unrest has been brewing among Newcastle supporters for a few years now, but things are coming to a head this season. They're upset with what they believe to be the stagnation of the club and have made Pardew one of their biggest targets as a result.

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Through five games, the Magpies are last in the Premier League table with three points. They've yet to pick up a win. Last Saturday, they needed two late goals just to salvage a home draw against Hull City.

The Telegraph's Paul Hayward understands why Pardew is receiving the blame but feels the larger problem at Newcastle is Ashley:

Ashley has invested quite a bit of money during his time as owner, but he seems content for Newcastle to just remain in the Premier League rather than push on for a top-four spot.

Whether Pardew stays or not, things are bound to pick up for the club sooner or later as summer additions Emmanuel Riviere, Remy Cabella and Daryl Janmaat become more acquainted with the team's style and the Premier League in general.

Newcastle also have the most injuries of any club in the league, according to PhysioRoom.com. One of the players currently out is Siem de Jong, and once he comes back, he will bring some much-needed creativity and attacking verve.

His return might come too late to save Pardew's job, however.