Amanda Staveley's bold claims criticised by Simon Jordan - A help or hinderance for Howe?

“We will win the Carabao Cup, we will win the FA Cup, we will the Champions League and we will win the Premier League. I know Yasir (Al-Rumayyan) has been here with me, we’re just so excited. You know what? Next time, we will get there.“

These were Amanda Staveley's comments just moments after our Carabao Cup final defeat to Man Utd. Six months on, talkSPORT's Simon Jordan believes these were 'unhelpful' claims to make for Eddie Howe and expectation levels at Newcastle United.

Jordan feels we were 'always going to struggle to maintain the standards' set from last season's top-four finish, but fears Howe will now be judged on these huge ambitions set out by our co-owner.

With that in mind, he feels Staveley's comments about winning it all didn't help his cause, as they created excitement but also raised expectations and the pressure on him to deliver high-level success at St James' Park.

In a piece for the Daily Mail, Jordan said:

“Newcastle were always going to struggle to maintain the standards that secured a top-four finish – and, unfortunately for Howe, he is going to be judged by those standards.

“It certainly underlines how unhelpful it was of Amanda Staveley to be flapping her gums after last season’s League Cup final, telling anyone who’d listen how they were going to win the Champions League.”

Perhaps Jordan has taken Staveley's comments too literally, as she was simply echoing the big ambitions of our new owners after a tough defeat for Newcastle fans. Does it add some pressure for Howe? Possibly, but it also reflects the passion, energy and excitement she's brought to this club since new owners arrived.

For that, it's hard to criticise! Like so many Newcastle fans, she's dreaming big and not afraid to share what she believes this club can achieve - in time - with the right investment.