With Mike Ashley at the helm, Newcastle’s transfer business wasn't exactly extravagant.

Including the deadline day deal for Federico Fernandez, Newcastle spent a grand total of £31.7 million on transfers this summer.

While the fans of most clubs will be going into the beginning of the season on a wave of positivity, it seems the Magpies are already in the midst of a yet another tough battle with their owner.

Last season Rafa Benitez managed to get the club to a 10^th place finish last season but despite that fantastic finish, it was quite clear that Benitez needed some heavy reinvestment in the transfer window.

While Mike Ashley managed to bring in two replacement strikers (Muto and Rondon) for Aleksandar Mitrovic, the oft-criticised owner failed to address Newcastle’s two other weak positions: left-back and a creative midfielder.

The Breakdown

As it stands Benitez only has Paul Dummett and Achraf Lazaar to play at the position despite being linked with a host of replacements.

The Magpies were heavily linked with a move for Ajax man, Nicolas Tagliafico and were also interested in Fulham’s new recruit, Joe Bryan.

Both players would’ve been a massive upgrade over Dummett, who although he can play as a central defender, isn’t the modern marauding left-back that’s needed in modern football.

While Wolves and Fulham spent heavily in the transfer market in order to remain and in the league, Newcastle’s penny-pinching business may just seem them make a return to the Championship.

So Newcastle fans, what do you think?