Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd says current owner Mike Ashley needs to start speaking publicly.
He feels Ashley either needs to start talking in public or appoint a figurehead to do his talking for him.
Shepherd told the Evening Chronicle: "You have to face the music.
"When I was there we had seven managers including caretakers. A lot of people think it is easy up there, but it isn't.
"There are a lot of hard decisions to make because you are dealing with people's lives. Newcastle United are very important to a lot of people.
"The welder, the bricklayer, they see Newcastle as their club.
"It is very important you try to keep his enthusiasm going.
"At the minute where they are they are not going to be relegated.
"They also had a great run to get them in the position they are in.
"I cannot see them being out of the position they are in now."
