Steve Bruce is likely to be unveiled to the media in the coming days when his appointment as Newcastle manager is made official, following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday.
Although he will be the focal point of any press conference, there is a strong likelihood that Lee Charnley will appear alongside him on the platform.
If, unlike many Toon fans, Charnley is certain that Bruce is the right man for the St James’ Park hot-seat, then it would be baffling if he were not prepared to speak in front of the cameras to reiterate that.
If he is there, however, there are a raft of questions that fans deserve answers to, such as why he thinks Bruce is the right man to take the club forward? When did they genuinely know Rafa was leaving and why did it take so long to replace him? Can Newcastle catch up to other Premier League rivals who have already signed players?
But some questions are too important to ignore, such as the following:
Is there any truth to the takeover speculation that has engulfed Tyneside this summer?
After nothing all summer, this may be the only chance to pin the club down for a definitive official answer to the takeover speculation.
Are you aware of the anger of Newcastle fans? How many of those have actually cancelled season tickets? How can you convince them not to?
I suspect that Charnley would not admit any season ticket cancellations, and call for unity for the sake of the club. But he is often accused of ignoring the worries of fans, and how, or whether, he acknowledges the angry fan-base will be interesting.
Why did you and Mike Ashley persist with a media silence all summer, knowing the growing fans’ anger and worries over big issues at their beloved club?
He is sure to say the club do not comment on speculation or delicate, ongoing negotiations, but he must be pressed more on the contemptuous behaviour from the football club. With all the turmoil and growing fury from fans, he cannot be allowed to straight-bat answers to such an important question.
Why did you not give Rafa the concessions he was asking for, in a bid to keep him at St James’ Park, as fans see it as a lack of ambition from you and Mike?
Another question on the lips of every Toon fan. Any attempt to lay all the blame for his departure at Rafa’s door, will be a categoric disaster for Charnley and would ramp the animosity up another level between the supporters and the hierarchy.
How much money is there available to spend this window, and can you guarantee the manager will get all money from the Ayoze Perez sale, among others?
Again, an important question for fans, particularly as the club expect them to renew or buy season tickets against the back-drop of chaos. If Newcastle fail to spend big, they are in real danger of being relegated.
It would also help to know if any budget must include players’ wages, and whether the wage structure can be amended.
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