Mike Ashley's next move at NUFC looks nailed on after two wins in a week at SJP..

By Neil Langer

What a good result for the Toon against Bournemouth, particularly when you take into account the first team players missing - Lascelles, Shelvey and Lejeune, in what is already a weak squad.

The most promising aspect must be Rondon’s rise to form and much improved fitness, giving us more hope up front - he was absolutely outstanding.

There is no doubt Rafa has the squad well drilled at the back and scoring goals has been our Achilles heel, although I have one slightly concern after our back to back wins.

My thrill at seeing a Toon win is somewhat tainted by the belief that the owner will see this as an opportunity to keep his hands in his pockets in January. We all know his first aim is to keep us up on the cheap, so any hope that he can do that with the current squad and avoid spending in January and he will.

Mr Ashley wants to sell this club, of that there is little doubt. If he values the club at £300m now and spends £30m on players In January, the club will still be worth £300m. The business man will not ‘write-off’ £30m and there lies our problem.

There has been little news on a new buyer for the club, which is a shame as the manager appears desperate to remain for the long term and help deliver success.

Once again the attendance was down 2000 on what we’re used to at St James Park - possibly a token protest ahead of the Wolves 'boycott'.

Don't get me wrong, my first thought is delight at winning and pushing closer to that 40 point mark, but my cynical side tells me that Ashley will soon see this as his ticket to not spend in January.