Jamaal Lascelles speaks out after meeting with Mike Ashley - "It might not be what everyone wants to hear"

Jamaal Lascelles has spoken out following the club's 'dinner date' with Mike Ashley a month ago, saying that the meal was 'really positive', claiming that he is actually a 'nice guy' - and that the negativity and protests must stop from Newcastle fans.

The skipper - who signed a new six-year-deal earlier today - claims that this 'might not be what everyone wants to hear', but he insists that it is now vital that everyone sticks together, suggesting we may be stuck with Ashley for a little longer yet.

As revealed by Sky's Keith Downie, here's what Lascelles has said about his meeting with Ashley when speaking to the press in the last few moments:

"Speaking honestly, and it might not be what everyone wants to hear, but it’s important that everyone is together.

"Having the meal was really positive; listening to how the owner speaks and how he is as a man.

"The players are all saying the same.”

He then went on to call Ashley a 'nice guy' - urging fans to stop the negativity and focus their efforts on getting behind the team:

"He’s a nice guy.

“I know fingers are being pointed at him, but I think it was a positive meeting and if it could happen more, I don’t think it would do any harm.

“If there are divides, I think it creates problems. If everyone in Newcastle stopped the negativity and tried to form a unity, that would help.

“When there are problems going on around off the pitch, it does have an effect on you as players. It would help if everyone came together and put all that bad energy into positive energy, helping us get three points. That’s what everybody wants.”

Lascelles is playing a VERY dangerous game here. He's siding with the enemy - and it may be no coincidence that he has given Ashley has just given him a pay rise following his new deal.

It seems all the players took a lot out of the meal and 'pizza date' with Ashley - however I would argue that it only does so much.

They may have appreciated it, but it doesn't change the damage he did over the summer after failing to invest and leaving us woefully lacking in quality heading into the new season.