Thomas Frank points out how much Newcastle star cost

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Not that it matters to many outside of Newcastle United but there’s an easy explanation as to their remarkable rise under Eddie Howe.

That comes down to money.

Now, the extra funds pumped in by PIF obviously help matters but they do not explain just how well Howe has coached the players he inherited from Steve Bruce.

Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, Fabian Schar and Joe Willock have all seen their careers transformed under his watch, showing tangible improvement made on their training ground as well as in the transfer market.

Even when talking about the big signings made, namely Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, they still have to be coached. Spending money is one thing, actually making those investments work is another thing entirely.

Still, the money spent is something for the opposition to point to.

Thomas Frank points out how much Alexander Isak cost after goal at Brentford

That’s exactly what Brentford manager Thomas Frank did on Saturday.

While his team could have been out of sight in the first-half, Newcastle managed to come from behind for a fantastic win in west London.

Joelinton forced an own goal from David Raya before Alexander Isak’s brilliant strike won all three points for Howe’s team.

It was a wonderful finish from Isak, who is making a big impact in the Premier League.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game, Frank said: “That is the fine margins not going our way. In the second half, two moments changed the game.

“The first where Joelinton makes a good action but is fortunate to get the shot in off David Raya’s legs when there was no pass. Then a great finish from Alexander Isak – a £63m striker.”

This is something Newcastle just have to get used to

Frankly, it seems almost churlish to point out a player’s price tag when they score a brilliant goal as if costing a lot of money makes it inevitable.

How many times over the years have big signings not worked out?

Still, it’s a veiled criticism Newcastle are just going to have to get used to. It’s an easy explanation as to why they are challenging at a very high level so soon into the new era, without actually looking at all the detail.