Ashley failed in his attempts to land Lille's France international full-back Mathieu Debuchy and Brazilian Douglas in the summer ... saying the "sell on" fee (when the players saw out a Newcastle contract) would be nothing.
But - what about the four of five years service they would have given Pardew?
Is that not worth something.
Ashley's problem is simple. He doesn't see FOOTBALLERS ... he sees "£" signs.
Alan Pardew: "We are all concerned. It's not like it's just heaped on myself and 'Get on with it'.
"The managing director and the owner are very conscious of where we are and we are trying to make sure that we look at the period and events leading up to the next window, and we will react from there."
"This isn't about transfers yet. I have heard in the press and even our fans talking about transfers in, etc, etc.
"Really, we just need to knuckle down and get some results with the squad we have because there's actually nothing we can do until the window opens anyway.
"It's not really high on our priority list. It goes on all the time, that talk in the background, and we will deal with that when we need to.
"I have been very fortunate to have a squad that has remained pretty fit and healthy since I have been here, and we have not really had much down time.
"We have had the odd result that didn't really go our way, but have rebounded very, very quickly.
"But this is the first time that we have lost a couple of games on the spin and we have lost so many players to injuries, and it's difficult.
"That's when you have to show your mettle and look to the squad and try to boost them and get a performance, and that's what me as a manager and my staff are trying to do.
"We have lost two home games and that's not acceptable for us.
"We need to make sure we win tomorrow, and it would also give us qualification, so it's a big night for us."