Former Newcastle United head coach John Carver has admitted that the club are a "better side" this season.
The 50-year-old had his contract with the club terminated in June, and Carver believes that the investment made in the squad over the summer has paid dividends, despite the Magpies' position in the table.
Carver told BT Sport: "I think they are a better side, although you look at the league table and that does not show and the points do not show that.
"They invested well in the summer, I thought the four players that they brought in, so far three of them have been big hits, especially [Georginio] Wijnaldum.
"I think they are trying to play some more football, they have got better players, yes they have spent £50m so they should be better, but they have also got one or two lads like Cheick Tiote who are coming back to fitness again, so he adds something extra to the team."
Newcastle United take on Bournemouth in the early Premier League kickoff this afternoon.