I don't think they had any value in the squad to begin with TBH which is why I don't think it's as big a deal as say Swansea spending it, as they had 4-5 players of value to begin with and add to.
I'd expect more than what they see now like.
Basically it boils down to this. It's very easy for you to say, "if only Moyes had the money that Pulis has had" but, as much as there might be more cash in our coffers than in yours, we've come from way back. You've had 58(?) consecutive top flight seasons (including 20 years of premiership cash) to our 5 consecutive seasons after 23 years in the second and third divisions, with various promotions and relegations before then. Not to turn it into a 'woe-is-me' [Poor language removed] waving contest, but still...
I'd also say you have to not take transfer fees at face value... I'll admit we've wasted some cash, but 75 million is small fry when you consider what 5 years' worth of money for mid-table finishes gets you. It also seems logical to say "with the money they've spent you could get a £15m playmaker, £25m striker etc" but in practise it doesn't work because:
A) We have a wage cap and that sort of player is going to want way more than we pay
B) That sort of player wants more regular cup wins, european games etc than we can guarantee.
I'd say a more accurate factor in comparing who has done what in the league is wages. I won't pretend I'm privy to how much you lot pay your top earners, but I'd guess it's more than ours (Crouch/Huth/Shawcross) get. So yeah, our net spend may be more than Manchester United's (although isn't their's skewed by the massive fee they got for Ronaldo?) but equally, we've got no-one on £200,000 week...
Also, comparisons with Wigan/Swansea/West Brom. The remit of us and those three is to stay in the league, but Wigan expect a relegation fight each year, Swansea have only done it once and West Brom seem to have finally mastered staying up after a few unsuccessful attempts. Our targets are: to stay up (comfortably); improve the first team squad; invest in the academy; and see what we can do in the cups... all of which we have done. Coates is happy to put the money in for guaranteed, safe returns each year- Pulis is happy to provide them in return for a nice salary and the kudos of managing amongst the elite.
As for aesthetics... well, away from home we are often as bad as we're made out to be. Smash and grab is great for us, but I imagine it does spoil the game for the home fans. At home games we're generally decent. Direct, but this season we've made big changes in the centre of midfield and, in my mind, we look a lot better for it. Still a lack of pace in the team though.
Good luck for the rest of the season (apart from Saturday and the return game!)