Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has provided an update on the club's incoming transfer work this month
Eddie Howe gives thumbs up during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and RCD Espanyol
Eddie Howe's Friday evening post-match press conference was dominated by Alexander Isak, naturally, but the Newcastle United boss also made sure he got his point across on incoming business after what has been a very testing window thus far.
The Magpies have landed Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale but still have work to do when it comes to replacing Callum Wilson and finding another central defensive addition.
This, while Howe attempts to get Isak back on side after a period of exile. Going forward, there is still a chance the Newcastle striker will leave in the coming days.
But what about incomings? Howe, speaking after the 2-2 draw with Espanyol inside St James' Park, attempted to offer updates for a frustrated fanbase.
Here, Chronicle Live takes a look at his answers...
Have the club done enough to strengthen?
Angry snipers have made their feelings clear over the lack of new arrivals and the plethora of targets missed. Howe, however, has continually moved to back his colleagues by insisting work is being done to ensure his Newcastle squad is strengthened come September.
Howe: "Yeah, I think the club has been dynamic. I think the club has been proactive. We have tried.
"There's been a lot reported on and some of it very accurate, some of it not so, but through no fault of necessarily anyone that's working behind the scenes, we haven't been able to close some deals that at one stage were very close and they just got away from us.
"That can happen, with any deal until it's signed, sealed and delivered. The competition and the pool of players we have is very small, so everyone's fighting for the same players, and we've lost out on a number of deals that could have fallen our way.
"But I think when you're in my shoes you do a lot of work on each respective target then you then have to go back to the drawing board and do it again, while having in the back of your mind the player you're bringing has got to make a difference, a positive difference.
"So that process has happened a number of times. I'm gonna have to do it again and I've got no issue doing it."
Can this still be a successful summer?
Time is certainly running out, with Newcastle facing Aston Villa, on the road, in just seven days time. By then, Howe will want more through the door, with a final few weeks of pushing expected to get a few fresh faces into his St James' Park dressing room.
Howe: “Yeah, it can. Signing players doesn’t guarantee anything. We didn’t sign many last summer and everyone said it was a disastrous window and how PSR is affecting our long-term success, and we went on to have one of the best seasons in recent memory.
"But, obviously, if you get it right, it can take your squad forward to a different area. We are very keen to add new stimulus to the group. Let’s see what happens.”
What is the message to worried fans?
Frustration reigns. That is evident. But Howe will continue to keep a cool head - and he's urging fans to do the same. It has been a bruising summer.... but keep the faith.
Howe: "I think the message is that we are working as hard as we can to the benefit of Newcastle - to try to run and improve the squad, to keep the squad together and harmonious, and I think the biggest thing for the supporters is that they see everyone fighting for the same cause on the pitch.
"I see with every ounce they have for long term success. I don't expect that to change. I expect us to be ready for when the season starts to give our all.
"We need that united feel throughout the club, and that's why again why we've had success because supporters have been with us.
"They've seen the effort that we've given. And now it's our job to make sure that's evident again."