The Clock is ticking at St James' Park

With the appointment of Rafa Benitez, a manager who is considered among the elites in the managerial world, Newcastle fans were bound to be filled with optimism that something will change at their club. He successfully managed to bring them back to the Premier League after being crowned as Champions in the Championship.

Newcastle United has suffered a fall from the grace, from the glory days of Alan Shearer, they had become a club which struggles for survival of its Premier League status every season. The damning indictment of their inability lies in the fact lies in the fact that they haven't been able to break their transfer record signing (Micheal Owen for £16m) since 2005 whereas many other clubs which are smaller in status as well as in spending power have shelled cash to show some ambition and commitment in the transfer market.

The stingy and penurious ownership of Mike Ashley has held back the club for years and it was a wonderful opportunity for him to get rid of all the culpability and direct Newcastle towards the greatness which escaped from it so often and narrowly in the past, when he managed to keep hold of Rafa Benitez for their Championship campaign which was quite unusual in a way given the caliber and the resume of the Spaniard.

Mike Ashley has often been under microscope for his lack of investment at the club

But Rafa Benitez might have decided to stay at St James' Park by seeing the potential of the club it possesses. He was adamant about managing a club in England and Newcastle United would have allured him as a great opportunity and challenge, after his swift sacking at Real Madrid in just 6 months.

It has a fantastic fan following and significant history to attract players to play for the club. Also, Rafa's presence acts as a compliment which club should have taken advantage of this situation as much as it could have been possible.

British businesswoman Amanda Staveley recently failed in her bid to buy the club from Mike Ashley, who has been the owner since 2007. The 53-year-old Newcastle owner has never been particularly popular at St. James' Park but he seems unwilling to sell up at a reasonable price.

Newcastle, after being beaten 3-1 by league leaders Manchester City on Saturday evening, currently lie 15th in the Premier League table just one point bay of relegation spot. Rafa Benitez had previously insisted that he wanted the club's winter business done by January 20 but he's been forced to push back that deadline.

"In my last conversation with Mike Ashley, he said we have the green light to sign players and I would like to see some of them come in before 31 January and I have confidence we will do it," Rafa said after the 3-1 defeat to City.

Rafa Benitez has always been a skilled politician. At Newcastle this season, amid Ashley's continued under-investment, Benitez has pitted himself firmly on the side of the supporters. Now if Newcastle fails to make certain reinforcements in the remaining time in this transfer window he might feel underappreciated and it would ultimately lead to the battle against the corridors of power and it would again be a waste of an excellent opportunity by The Magpies.