Simon Jordan has dismissed talk of Newcastle United 'flattering to deceive' following a mixed start to the new season. Eddie Howe's side have won once and lost once in their opening seven Premier League fixtures.
The Magpies sit 10th in the table, and have been subject to praise for their frontfoot displays which saw them go toe-to-toe with champions Manchester City in a thrilling draw last month. However, a combined transfer spend in excess of £200 million this year has led some to question whether Newcastle should be aiming for higher than a mid-table finish this term.
Jordan has urged United supporters to be patient, insisting that it will still take time for the club to challenge for honours despite the injection of cash. The former Crystal Palace owner believes Howe and the owners deserve credit for their work so far, having successfully avoided relegation last season.
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Jordan feels Newcastle have laid out a 'launch pad' to build the club up over the coming seasons, while also outlining his views on the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Kieran Trippier. Here is everything the talkSPORT presenter had to say in his latest 'One 2 One' segment with the broacaster.
Jordan said: "Are Newcastle flattering to deceive? No, I think Newcastle have looked very good this season. I've been very impressed with them. I've admired the way they played against Liverpool, I've admired the way they played against Man City.
"I think they are a work in progress. It is very difficult, City when they got all of this money didn't win the league for a few years. I think they finished eighth when the money really started to crank up. I think Eddie Howe is doing a decent job, they have made decent signings.
"I've been quite impressed despite my vitriol about the ownership and my distaste for some of the people who have been involved with Newcastle. You have got to give credit where credit is due.
"They have got a decent buying policy, people like Kieran Trippier have been outstanding. People make this observation that I only said he was going for the money. I didn't say that, I said he wouldn't be going there if there wasn't the pre-requisite amount of money and opportunity.
"He says he's getting the same money he was getting at Atletico Madrid or less, I would suggest that he's getting better opportunities by being at Newcastle for a variety of different reasons. Some are economic, some might be longer-term contracts.
"But not withstanding that, he's been an absolute revelation. So have some of the other players, I've thought they have bought well. People are going to compare the situation against Eddie Howe's previous charges Bournemouth because they've just drawn a game.
"They didn't play brilliantly. I think that's because players like Allan Saint-Maximin are so important to them, they've got to build a more balanced team. I don't think they're flattering to deceive, I think people are projecting what Newcastle are going to achieve including that wally Jim White who has bet me £1,000 they are going to finish sixth in the league. I'll take that money in advance Jim if you want to pay it now.
"It is unrealistic. I think Newcastle are building, they are going through the gears, they are attacking and easy on the eye, a well-balanced side and I enjoy watching them. I think this is a bit of reality stepping in between what people expect them to do, and what they're capable of doing.
"They've not got Callum Wilson, I know they've bought the boy Isak and they've got other players in the mix who they've spent a lot of money on. I think Newcastle are going in the right direction, I do hope there isn't rumblings from Newcastle from within their fanbase of people not being particularly happy, because this time last year they would have bitten their own arms off to have a different ownership, direction, and manager.
"They've got all of that so be patient. Newcastle are going in the right direction on many, many fronts and despite the fact they've not won as many games as people would expect them to have done. But they've been very engaging in all of the games they've played, and given most of the sides they've played, specificially Liverpool and Man City, a run for their money.
"Just be patient Newcastle. I'm enjoying watching them, and the development of the team. I'm pleasantly surprised by the manner in which they've operated, and they've set themselves out a launchpad for the building of a football club that can compete in the ensuing years.
"I don't think they've flattered to deceive, and I'm not going to pile in like people think I would because it's Newcastle. I've got more encouraging words to say for Newcastle than discouraging ones."
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