Pundits Jamie Carragher and Joey Barton have both suggested Benitez himself is responsible for at least some of that, but Benitez insists a return to winning ways - Nottingham Forest are due on Tyneside for a Carabao Cup second round tie on Wednesday night - would solve many of the current issues.

He said: "If we win, I will be happy. The main difference is what the players do on the pitch.

"It's because we didn't win, that's it. If you win, everyone is happy. If you lose, everyone is not happy. When you lose, you have to be upset. Hopefully we can change that tomorrow."

Asked specifically about Barton's assertion that he should stop moaning and start coaching, Benitez said: "I am concentrating on my job."

Newcastle, of course, is a club which has too often found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons, and Ashley's admission that they cannot afford to give Benitez the money he would like for transfers has led to predictions that it will all eventually end in tears once again.

However, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss firmly believes that whatever happens during what is left of the transfer window, he will be in a better position on September 1 than he is now.

He said: "September 1 will change everything, simple. If you have your team, your squad, it will be easier for me to get a message across. It will be closed and okay, fine, we have to go."

Asked if he is confident that he can keep the club in the top flight, Benitez replied: "Yes. It is something we have done well for years and working hard, we have the feeling that we will improve."