Amanda Staveley has praised the impact of Eddie Howe at Newcastle and claims the players he inherited were not fit.
Kieran Tripper has also revealed his new team-mates told him they did not train properly and had too many days off before the manager's arrival.
Howe replaced Steve Bruce in November with the team winless in 11 matches and 19th in the Premier League.
Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley has failed the impact of Magpies manager Eddie Howe
They are now unbeaten in eight games since Christmas, climbing to 14th position and seven points clear of the bottom three with Howe favourite to land February's Manager of the Month prize.