For the long suffering Newcastle United fans, Rafa Benitez’s activity in the transfer market over the summer was refreshing to see.
The Magpies chief presided over the busiest summer in years in order to get the Toon Army ready for life in the second tier.
Much has been made of the power afforded to the Champions League winner, far more than any other coach at St. James’ Park has been allowed in recent seasons.
Still, it will take far long than just a season to turn things around on Tyneside.
Things were that bad.
Not to crush the optimism sparked by the ‘Rafalution’ but the international break allows those who’ve had sit through the slide to take a look back on some of the poor decisions the club has made.
In many ways, it could even make us feel better, such is the rapid nature of improvement under the Spaniard’s tutelage.
With that in mind, here are the FOUR most abysmal signings made by Newcastle in the last five years.
