Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is keen to break the player power inside the dressing room.
The Daily Express says Ashley refused to meet Kevin Nolan's contract demands and allowed him to move to West Ham United so to smash a senior leadership clique.
Ashley was concerned about the power wielded by a group of experienced players, notably Nolan, Joey Barton, Alan Smith and Steve Harper.
They were critical of the owner's decision to sack manager Chris Hughton and look to be paying the price.
