Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is confident owner Mike Ashley is aware what is required to take the club forward. But as he plans a summer rebuilding project, Pardew, who takes his team to Stoke on Saturday, is hopeful that the owner is well versed in what will be required.
He said: "I think that's been a positive, that he sees we need a bit of quality in the group, that the players are doing their best, but we do need more quality if we are going to impact the top of the league.
"We have played three teams - I know you could argue Southampton weren't above us at the time, but three teams in that top half.
"We have another one on Saturday and I think it's fair at the moment that we have been a little bit distant from them and we need to close that gap."
