A return to the Premier League was meant to be a triumphant one for Newcastle and boss Rafa Benitez.

However, goings on behind the scenes, and recent performances, have meant that some of that excitement is now being replaced by anxiety and fear.

Fans are worried the club are going to slide into the relegation zone, and may never get out. And the manager is worried that he may not have the tools at his disposal to halt the slide.

Newcastle do have a decent squad, which showed impressive form and results in the Championship.

However, it is clear the club needs to invest if staying in the Premier League is to remain their target in the coming seasons.

Newcastle is a huge club with a dedicated fan base, yet the transfer budgets available to Benitez are not too impressive.

He spoke about the issue in an interview following the defeat to Everton.

"As soon as possible [on needing to know about his transfer budget] but I don't know when. We have the money from the summer window - I think we have some money but I need to know how much," he said.

Benitez knows the club needs some fresh blood in the squad, and he is hoping that he can spend a bit in January. However, the club's ownership situation complicates matters, with Mike Ashley looking to offload the club to owners who can spend to help the team reestablish itself as a Premier League force.