NEWCASTLE UNITED fans have been here before. Not once, not twice, not even three times. In fact, being dissatisfied with Mike Ashley’s approach to the transfer window has become something of the norm during his 11 years on Tyneside.

Even though the vast majority of supporters have always been annoyed by Ashley’s way of doing things, there have been a few who appreciated why he was so keen to keep the balance sheet at a decent level and run things as a business.

That is why fans of other clubs have often looked at their counterparts at Newcastle and wondered what their problem is? After all, despite some dreadful decisions over the years that have incensed, there have been no financial issues like, for instance, Sunderland had to endure under Ellis Short.

But this time, when Rafa Benitez has clearly shown he has the ability to potentially take Newcastle as high as Ashley wants him to, you can’t help but feel this summer has been another opportunity missed.

After finishing tenth, having only gone up the summer before, Benitez did tremendously well with a decent squad which was heavily reliant on those who delivered promotion the previous campaign.

There were the success stories of two of the three players he drafted in on loan in January, with Martin Dubravka and Kenedy returning to St James’ Park.

But once again there are many question marks hanging around, and fears those will have a negative impact.

Benitez knows how to get the best out of a group of players and, as he showed last season, he is likely to get this current squad performing again because of the team spirit within the camp and how organised he has his side set up.

But that is not the point. Say Newcastle do stay up, merely preserving Premier League status is not what Benitez wants. Having impressively finished tenth last season, he retains ambition and would love to be targeting a European spot this season.

Does he think that is achievable now given how the summer recruitment drive has gone? Probably not. Having had it widely reported that he was seeking £80m to spend before the start of the new season, spending has fallen well short of that.

Having missed out on many of his leading targets because of a reluctance to invest in the squad until the money was raised by sales first, he has had to bring in alternatives – still on his shopping list, but ranked further down.

Newcastle are not short of decent players. Having persuaded Dubravka and Kenedy to return, he will perceive those as crucial additions. The fact that he was not able to bring his other top targets in, though, is a cause for concern.

He has shown in the past at the other clubs he has been at that he is willing to play hardball in his bid to see his ambitions fulfilled, which is why nobody should be expecting him to sign a contract extension soon.

And having the doubts about his future constantly brought up – until / if he does commit to the new three-year deal Ashley wants him to – is hardly going to help attempts to improve.

Benitez knows what he is doing. The former Liverpool boss knows he has the fans’ backing and he knows Ashley doesn’t, so he is prepared to push this as far as he can. The danger is that this will lead to the parting of the ways everyone is expecting, it is just a matter of when.

Newcastle remain up for sale if the right offers comes along and that still seems the best solution.