You're right it is comical the way they look at these two because as far as I can see Ashley and Mort have not put a foot wrong since taking over the club. Everything they've done has been well thought out, good for the club and professional yet the press seem to think that Shearer will picking the teams after Arsenal if we don't get a result.
As for people coming out and saying Mort should make a quick denial, why should he? He's already given Allardyce his backing twice, I'd rather nothing was said as a finger to the press. The more we give them stories the more they will shit stir to get a reaction and in doing so get some easy page fillers.