Keep it simple then - Cash went from about £2m to minus £8m, plus loans increased by £15m.
That's £25m in cash in simple terms that Benitez has spent over and above what has been generated. That's an owner backing a manager.
That is the year in the championship when tv income dropped by £40m, so the profit on transfers that summer plus the £15m loan had offset the loss substantially. Backed to regain premier league status, ergo tv money. Not backed to try and improve or do as well as possible imo.
So figures from 16/17 are not as reflective on the case of backing the manager, the windows of january 2017, January 18 and summer 18 show. Loan signings made permanent and still in profit in terms of tranfers this summer. Certainly not trying to improve or progress. Targets missed out on/not even tried for.