Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Of Newcastle United’s triangle of power, only head coach Steve McClaren is still being given the benefit of the doubt by frustrated Magpies.

In our biggest ever mid-season Big Toon Survey we asked you to deliver a verdict on the men who wield the power at St James’ Park – and it will not make comfortable viewing for those who make the big calls.

In fact, it’s damning. United fans have lost faith in the men right at the top.

MD Lee Charnley came out worst in our Big Toon Survey (with fans calling for a change), then it’s Mike Ashley and – in a reflection of perceived failings in the transfer market – a loss of faith in Graham Carr is reflected for the first time.

But fans are not as harsh in their judgement of McClaren – yet, anyway.

We polled almost 2,000 fans in an attempt to paint an accurate picture of the mood on Tyneside after a year of almost unprecedented strife at St James’ Park. We asked about everything from January transfers to your player of the season and it’s clear that there is real unease at the way the club is being run.

LEE CHARNLEY:

Charnley is now the most important man at St James’ Park when it comes to day-to-day affairs, with responsibility for contracts, transfers and running the club. He has become a trusted ally of Mike Ashley and has set the direction for the club.

In August 2014 in the summer Big Toon Survey, 57% of you thought he was doing a good job but that ringing endorsement no longer applies.

More than half of those who took the survey said that it was “time for a change” of MD – some 50.76%. Of the remainder, 29.09% were unhappy with Charnley’s performance while 16.92% said they were content but waiting for results to improve.

2.74% are content and 0.49% are “very happy”.

Your comments:

Karl Moorhead wrote: “He started off well in August, emailing all fans of intentions then it just died off and has gone into hiding again. (He) only seems to come out when there’s anything good to celebrate, like when he signed a couple of players.”

Greg Letchworth wrote: “He relies far too much on (Graham) Carr and his insistence on having (Steve) McClaren meant we missed out on much better options.”

Mike Holloway made the point: “Appears not to have sufficient football nous to spend Ashley’s money wisely and to manage the club strategy with imagination and flair. I am like many fans – losing my faith in the club and my enthusiasm for the team. Expectations are rock bottom which is shameful for club of this stature and importance.”

But there was some sympathy for him too. Kaare Michael Christoffersen said: “It’s hard to blame a man for doing his job the way he’s told to do it. The economy of the club is good – he’s doing his job.”

Luke Sandle wrote: “The issues don’t stretch to any one individual, the whole structure is to blame. The individuals are the products of the club’s ethos. Nevertheless, he too has failed with signings.”

poll loading Which of these should be Lee Charnley's priority in January? 2000+ VOTES SO FAR Changing managers Signing new players

THE RESULTS:

Very happy: 0.49%

Content: 2.74%

Content but waiting for results to improve: 16.92%

Unhappy: 29.09%

Time for a change: 50.76%

STEVE McCLAREN:

(Image: 2015 Getty Images)

McClaren was Charnley’s appointment and while 32% are unhappy with him – and 12% are saying it’s time to change – nearly 50% are “content” but waiting to see what happens next.

That is probably a reflection of a curious quirk of United’s season: the fact that on many occasions the football has been a bit better and some progress has been discernible, even if the results have been pretty dreadful. Newcastle have been clapped off when losing on a couple of occasions this season.

Bear in mind this survey was opened after the Aston Villa draw, when United were better placed, which may have had some impact.

Your comments:

There were more than 800 comments left. Here’s a sample of a few, beginning with Katy in Gateshead: “He has to be given time, we can’t keep chopping and changing things. Just hope he doesn’t start with even more Pardew-esque pre-written quotes after the transfer window.

“I like the fact he makes the players stay on the pitch and applaud the fans whatever the result – this always happened under KK.”

Matty Hunter wrote: “Steve has had the role to lift a team which finished 16th last season. His job was difficult and I think he has handled it relatively well. My problem with Steve is it seems he never has any game plan - the Spurs and Liverpool results just show we were lucky as we couldn’t manage to defeat Aston Villa at home.”

Daryn Gascoigne had some sympathy: “Not sure how another manager could have got much more out of this squad, but some of his comments recently have been awkwardly inaccurate.”

What was interesting was the number of people who said the football was better than it was under Pardew. “I actually enjoy watching them more under McClaren in comparison to Pardew/Carver but we can’t seem to grind out results, which we need at this time,” wrote Andrew Smart.

“I prefer him to Pardew but I do accept that under Pardew we wouldn’t be in as bad a situation.”

Dave Caldicot summed up quite a few respondents: “Typical Ashley appointment.”

poll loading Should Newcastle United stick with Steve McClaren? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

THE RESULTS:

Very happy: 0.55%

Content: 4.87%

Content but waiting for results to improve: 49.79%

Unhappy: 32.44%

Time for a change: 12.36%

GRAHAM CARR:

Opinion was divided over the issue of talent spotter Carr, who – at one point – could do little wrong. A contacts man who successfully launched Newcastle’s strategy with a blaze of fine signings in 2012, many more are scrutinising his role now.

32% are calling for a change in chief scout, while 31% are unhappy. 24.47% are content with Carr but looking for a change in results – presumably brought about by players he will have a hand in signing in January.

Carr works to a strictly defined remit, of course – and it looked like a successful summer in terms of the way those who he recommended have performed. But the team’s struggles have contributed to many now placing the blame on him.

A Newcastle fan who was persuaded to stay at the club by Mike Ashley when Joe Kinnear’s appointment seemed to undermine him, Carr is understood to have grown frustrated at the way Alan Pardew used some of those players signed on his watch. With McClaren on the same wavelength, this is the time to judge him.

Your comments:

A real mixed bag. Gavin from North Shields wrote: “Has scouted good players in the past but is due a few more as we have been let down with players recently. I think it’s mainly due to Ashley not willing to pay the money.”

Peter Meyrin agreed: “Some players haven’t worked out, but he is finding good players – we just need to sign them (e.g. Aubameyang, Austin, Dost).”

A very common theme was a call to look closer to home, with hundreds saying that the French and Dutch markets have been utilised too much. John Bruce wrote: “Think he was heralded a few years ago but we haven’t seen a gem coming from the French league for a few years now. Thauvin? Cabella? Should have known they weren’t built for the league.”

A fair few pointed out that it was difficult to judge someone whose role is behind-the-scenes. “The recruitment policy of the club is so foggy that it’s hard to understand who is doing what these days,” wrote Eric Reidelbach.

“It’s hard to blame a scout for signings when his job is to simply identify talent. Until the club definitively states the style of football that it wants to play and repeatedly plays that way, I can’t blame the man responsible for signing players.”

Mark Holywell was less sympathetic. “Living on reputation,” he wrote.

THE RESULTS:

Very happy: 2.07%

Content: 10.59%

Content but waiting for results to improve: 24.47%

Unhappy: 30.55%

Time for a change: 32.32%

MIKE ASHLEY:

(Image: 2015 Getty Images)

Of all of those who are subject to your judgement, opinion of Ashley seems to have stayed pretty stable. After his post-season interview and then the club spending big in the summer, he might have expected more – but it hasn’t got much worse.

That’s the good news. The bad news for Ashley is almost 50% think it’s time for a change. 64.21% no longer want him as owner of United.

Your comments:

Ashley’s provokes very strong opinions, and there were many who accused him of “ripping the heart out of the club”. Plenty of others simply stated “Ashley Out” in this section.

Neil Punton wrote: “Fails to see how big our wonderful club could be, if only ran properly.” Matt from Nottingham said: “Has no clue about football. His interview about ‘winning something’ is completely flawed by the way we construct the squad. How can you come close to a trophy with a team lacking in depth, leadership and experience of Premier League football?”

None were positive but some offered mitigation. Jon Offredo said: “I’m not in the Ashley Out crew yet.. There have been too many clubs who have been fiscally irresponsible and have been driven to the brink for it. I do think that Freddy Shepherd would have led us down that path. Mike Ashley told us he’d spend and he did. This past summer’s signings were all astute buys and I’m not yet convinced Thauvin is a bust. I think he needs to keep spending, and do it smartly.”

He continued: “The real question is what would come next? Foreign investment? Shadowy conglomerates? For every Mansoor, there’s been a Tan, a Shinwatra, and even a Ken Bates.. Something has to be said for the devil you know. I’d take a smartly-run investment over a play thing any day.”

poll loading Can Mike Ashley ever win you round? 2000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No He doesn't need to win me over, I think he's doing a good job

Very happy: 0.97%

Content: 9.49%

Content but waiting for results to improve: 20.02%

Unhappy: 20.63%

Time for a change: 48.87%