Newcastle are in the midst of a Premier League relegation fight.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has told ESPN that he wants his former side to suffer relegation from the Premier League – so owner Mike Ashley finally sells the club.
The Toon sit two points above the Premier League relegation zone after their 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday, with Benitez’s men on 29 points and Crystal Palace on 27 in 18th place.
It is all to play for at the bottom of the table, with five sides within only three points of the relegation zone – Swansea City, Southampton, Huddersfield, West Ham and Newcastle – while West Brom, Stoke City and Palace prop up the division.
Hislop, who played for Newcastle for three years between 1995 and 1998, was asked who he would want to see relegated between the Toon and another former side in West Ham. He chose Newcastle, but with good intentions.
“I’ve picked Newcastle,” Hislop said. “And I’ll tell you why – because that would force Mike Ashley to sell. And I think you will not see the best of Newcastle until Ashley sells. In case you haven’t gathered, I’m not much of an Ashley fan.”
The Toon face a crucial relegation six-pointer at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, as they play host to Southampton in a match that could prove crucial come the end of the season.
A win would surely steer the Magpies clear of the bottom three for the time being, as they could climb into a lofty 13th place if Swansea, West Ham and Huddersfield all drop points in their 30th Premier League fixture of the season this weekend.
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