Football
PA Sport 10y

Shola Ameobi wants Newcastle to spend

Striker Shola Ameobi has challenged Newcastle to strengthen the quality and depth of Alan Pardew's squad for next season.

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The Magpies have slipped to defeat in each of their last five Barclays Premier League games and have won only four of the 17 they have played since Boxing Day with the sale of Yohan Cabaye and injuries having hit hard.

That has piled the pressure on Pardew, although Ameobi, who scored his first league goal in 16 months at the weekend, insists the players have never been under any illusions as to the challenge they faced.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "That is something the club have to put right for next season. We need quality players and we need a quality squad as well.

"This has all been brought out to a lot of people but we, as players, knew that. I think the fans are getting to see that now."

Pardew has borne the brunt of fans' frustrations in recent weeks with many calling for his head with a season which at one point promised so much ending in depressing style.

However, the 32-year-old Ameobi is adamant there are mitigating factors as the manager waits to see how owner Mike Ashley will allow him to rebuild during the summer.

He said: "We have limited resources at the moment and when we lose one or two key players it hurts the team badly.

"That is what the manager has had to put up with, unfortunately."

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