Things have certainly changed at Newcastle United over the last year.
Just 12 months ago, when Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce in the home dugout at St James Park, the Magpies were sat in the Premier League relegation zone and were without a win to their name. Despite a prolonged takeover by a PIF-led consortium finally being completed, there were very real concerns United could suffer a third relegation from the Premier League.
But the impressive work of Howe and his coaching staff, coupled with an eye-catching recruitment drive that saw the likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett join the Magpies, saw relegation avoided and the foundations were put in place for a much-improved season this time around.
Further investment during the summer saw Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Nick Pope all added to Howe’s squad. The results have been extraordinary as United currently sit in the top four and lie within three wins of Wembley after progressing into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Football Manager is usually a good indicator of how life is in the real world - so we had a look at what impact the recruitment drive had made on the Magpies weekly wage bill.
1. Mark Gillespie - £6,000
Photo: Gualter Fatia
2. Elliot Anderson - £10,000
Photo: Getty Images
3. Loris Karius - £30,000
Photo: Ian MacNicol
4. Sean Longstaff - £30,000
Photo: Getty Images