Olivier Bernard believes that Newcastle United's stuttering start to the season is a byproduct of a club in takeover limbo.
The former full-back feels that Mike Ashley has chosen not to invest too heavily in recruitment because the Sports Direct magnate is convinced that the club will have new owners in 2022.
Ashley was only prepared to sanction a staggered payment plan for Joe Willock this summer despite pleas from Steve Bruce that more squad strength was needed.
Bernard, who has stayed on Tyneside long after retirement, is now landlord of the Masons Arms pub in Blyth and mingles with fed-up fans every day.
Bernard told the Chronicle: "I'm like the rest of the fans as far as the start to the season is concerned, but I'm not surprised we're sitting here with no wins after five games.
"There's a lot of going on at the club in terms of selling to new owners. I suspect everybody feels the same way, some will feel it's quite imminent but at the same time quite far.
"Everybody chooses to go week by week hoping for a better tomorrow. Even the owner has said himself it should be done in the next few months.
"It's coming, I think there will be a takeover, the problem is when? It's not clever for the owner to put money in when he thinks he's sold the club.
"That leaves a difficult situation on the pitch because we as fans want more quality on the pitch. But at the same time, we all want the club sold and hopefully now the Premier League can decide if this takeover takes place or not."
With an anti-competition court case hearing set to get under way on Monday, fans hope that United are at least able to give evidence against the Premier League from last year when the case was delayed then parked when the Middle East bidders lost patience.
Since then Amanda Staveley and co have vowed to stick with their original vow should the Premier League give the deal the green light.
But while we wait for answers from the court, and also the arbitration case which was paused until 2022, Bernard feels the pain of fans.
Bernard sighed: "We're in a dilemma in terms of is it wise to invest at the moment for the owner?
"It's a tricky one because the supporters want to see the club do well. At the moment everything is on standby mode.
"That gives a feeling of uncertainty around the club.
"But having it all in the back of your mind is very difficult, even though you don't think too much about it as a player it's still in the back of your head because you know as a player in terms of futures a lot of things can change overnight if it does go through."
Were Newcastle fans to wake up one day with new owners from Saudi Arabia, it would put them in with a chance of pushing for the top six again.
Of course, things are never that easy, but Bernard knows the club has that potential after twice being part of a side that qualified for the Champions League in the early noughties.
Bernard reflected: "If you speak to people they say: 'We can't wait for a takeover!'
"Everybody wants to see Newcastle United do well. We all know how big of a club it could turn into.
"It's already a massive club but at the same time, it's a sleeping giant as well.
"Newcastle could dominate Europe if they were in good hands. It's hard for fans because we want to see them as an entertaining side but now seeing them in survival mode it's tough.
"The emphasis has been different."
As for life as a pub landlord?
Bernard admits he is a sounding board for supporters who just want to see success.
Bernard added: "In my pub, you get a lot of fans coming in and wanting to talk football.
"When you're a fan you're a fan for life.
"You look to share your passion.
"In Newcastle that passion is there and whenever there is even a transfer to the club the fans celebrate, and I'm the first one to sit and analyse the new signing!
"I may not be playing now but I am like a fan and I try to see the game in a different way.
"I've been up there and know how things work.
"I'm like any fan because when you sign one or two players you are suddenly convinced that you're going to do well. You hope they do as well as previous years.
"We can all talk football but it's played on the pitch and on the day, everything can be different."
As Newcastle prepared to face Watford this weekend, Bernard can feel the tension around the city, you can almost hear it in his voice.
But is he concerned that relegation, what would be a third under Ashley, might see the whole takeover collapse anyway?
Bernard says: "We've got a good enough side to not worry about relegation.
"But at the same time, you want the club to push further and look towards to Europe.
"The club and the city are always healthier when in Europe."
