7 in... but unanswered questions still remain

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR TOON BOSS BENITEZ AS TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES WITH A MISSED OPPORTUNITY ... WE POSE THE 14 QUESTIONS NUFC NOW NEED TO ANSWER

NEWCASTLE United end the transfer window with more questions than answers – again.

Rafa Benitez said he was ready to commit to the club for a decade but Mike Ashley’s ownership leaves Newcastle shorn of ambition, direction and purpose.

Benitez – who has been frustrated by broken promises and political manoeuvring in the boardroom – has left his contract unsigned.

It is difficult to envisage him having constructive talks between now and the end of his contract in May.

All of which leaves fans furious and questioning exactly what it is Newcastle stand for, where they are going and – most importantly – what has happened to the money and the promises from the boardroom.

We have put these 14 questions to Newcastle United. We believe they are the critical questions for the future of the club.

1 Why have Newcastle United recorded a net profit in transfer dealings? Where has the money from transfers and Premier League prize money gone?

No club in the Premier League recorded a bigger net profit than Newcastle – in an era where other promoted clubs are now outmuscling them financially, why did the club not spend more?

Can they account for where that money has gone? Is it being saved for future transfer windows or managers – or is the owner looking to rake back some of the money he has loaned to the club?

Money in the bank will not count for much if the club struggles against opponents who have stocked up this summer.

2 Mike Ashley promised “every penny generated” by the club to Rafa Benitez – does the club stand by this statement?

Ashley’s May statement made the promise United would hand Benitez the cash his efforts generated. United banked a big chunk of their £123million prize money and TV money in July – and there was a net profit of nearly £30million in player trading too – but Benitez spent less than £40million.

How does Ashley account for that money? Where has it gone?

3 Were Rafa Benitez’s transfer funds restricted because he did not sign a new contract? What is this supposed to achieve if so?

Benitez certainly believes so and it is understood funds WERE restricted because he would not commit. Can the club explain the reasoning for this when Ashley said he wanted to back Benitez and try to keep him at the club?

4 Lee Charnley said Benitez has been backed so far in his two years at the club – does he stand by that after what has happened this summer?

Benitez said “everything” was wrong at the club this summer. Are those the words of a manager who feels he has been backed? Does the club stand by those sentiments?

5 What role did Justin Barnes, Mike Ashley’s lawyer, play in the club’s transfer business this summer?

United are yet to acknowledge Barnes works at the club and repeated attempts to find out exactly what it is that he does have been unsuccessful. It is understood he has a role in the club’s recruitment business, either giving the green light to deals or demanding better value.

The club needs to be honest about his role – especially in a summer when Benitez has namechecked him.

6 Mike Ashley said he wanted to win a Cup or qualify for the Champions League. Does he feel the club’s policy in the last two years will allow them to do that?

Quite simply, what is the point of Ashley’s Newcastle given the way they have treated Benitez? Do they exist simply to survive, as Benitez implied? If they want to succeed, why are they not backing the best manager they have had for years?

7 Does he think the club’s actions in the summer transfer window represent an owner who “wants Rafa Benitez to stay”?

It feels as if Ashley has taken Benitez for granted in three transfer windows in succession. The Newcastle boss has asked for the full trust of his board to deliver success – and says the club must be run on football lines, not business ones. Those appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

8 Given they planned to upgrade the training ground in 2013, why is there now no money for training-ground improvements?

Ashley defended the training ground in his letter to MPs this week, saying it was not a hindrance to a tenth-placed finish last season. Does he not see improving facilities would have a profound, long-term impact on the club?

Why would Newcastle come up with plans to improve training facilities five years ago only to mothball now when others are investing in facilities?

Where has the money and time assigned to this project gone?

9 What is the reason for not providing funds for the Academy given its record in supplying players for the first team?

Ashley has spoken before about the need to produce local talent. So why will he not fund it?