Newcastle United hero Rob Lee believes the club's demise won't have surprised Alan Pardew.

Lee believes Pardew was well aware that the club were in decline when he left them in ninth place back in January to join Crystal Palace.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "I think he saw what was coming, I really do.

"He knew it was going to get worse.

"It was a steady decline at Newcastle and he knew it was not going to get any better.

"Even now if Mike Ashley has a change of tune he would have to spend £100m just to get you back up to mid-table. It's a lot of money.

"Spending £20m will mean the club will just stand still."