Rafa Benitez says it will be a miracle for Newcastle United to survive - even if Mike Ashley opens his cheque book next month.
The Magpies boss believes the damage is already done after a summer of under-investment, and his mood in the wake of Saturday's sour stalemate with Fulham was the lowest it has been all season.
He even refused to give a straight answer when asked if he was committed to the cause for the remainder of the campaign, preferring to say: 'My focus now is trying to find the right team to play Liverpool (on Boxing Day) and try to get three points.