Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie believes that Mike Ashley will be satisfied with a 17th-placed finish for the club next season, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The club looked to be in serious danger of dropping out of the Premier League just a few weeks ago, but eight points from their previous four matches has seen them move eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Nevertheless, Gillespie believes that Newcastle’s owner is fine with the club repeatedly surviving by the skin of their teeth.

In a way it's lucky that Steve Bruce's men got those points on the board as they now face Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City, before bringing the curtain down on their campaign with clashes against Fulham and Sheffield United.

And Gillespie thinks that Ashley is currently reaping what he has sown, with their current struggles a result of a general lack of investment in the squad at St James’ Park, and he insists the owner has absolutely no ambition, but he remains hopeful the club will progress, potentially under a new manager.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, the former Magpies winger said: “Absolutely. That is an owner of a club with no ambition, happy to finish 17^th every year. That’s not what fans need.

“Newcastle are a club that have experienced Champions League football in the past. They’re a million miles away now. You just want an owner to come in and push the club forward because the club is stood still, going backwards at times.

“They haven’t invested in the squad as well, like other clubs have. If you don’t do that, you’re going to fall behind and you’re going to be in relegation battles.”