I appreciate a few things:
Firstly, a lot of players were given improved terms last season so a fair bit of the budget this season will be going to retaining those players services however from the outside it may appear like the status quo.
Second, in the aftermath of the Gary Neville spat, its evident we had targets but were pipped at the final hurdle by being gazumped or not even in the ball park financially.
Third I expect there are players we have identified who we can only pursue once we had money in the bank from sales.
It is evident the midfield playmaker is perhaps the most rare of footballing talents as it seems they aren't as prevalent as the other positions. Therefore it carries a premium and every other team is courting these players. We have failed to source an adequate one for a good 5 years now.
Finally, I do think Robinson is the man for the job. He achieved a lot last year (and the half dozen games or so of 2016/17), mainly centred around creating a feel good factor and having players give that extra 5% for their mates. Yes he played to the strengths of the team he recruited and unfortunately Celtic didn't turn up to either Final the way Aberdeen or Rangers showed up to the semi's, we seemed to take that role.
It's evident he does have a plan B and C but due to personnel he is forced to stick to A. Now that gets the ire of the fans screaming for the introduction of a player. For whatever reason we tend to chase games rather than start off well and protect our position.
I've said before that a manager is often judged and job security based on his summer acquisitions. Last year we had a few coups with Carson, Hartley and Cedric. Dunne impressed form January on, Tanner's contribution seems to have drifted from the memory because he's been out for so long but he definitely brought something and Rose continues to be someone that splits opinion. Aldred and Main were timely replacements for big players Hartley and Louis. Bigi hasn't featured as much as anyone thought, surprising due to his perceived pedigree so I can only imagine work ethic and commitment must be an issue.
I think to succeed when you have less quality players in this league you have to reinvent your style and tactics before you play each round of 11 games. That's why we did so well till October, but failed from then on till New Year. We got found out and exploited.