Like it or lump it, they are the facts. Didn't say they are the best. CMS, Stockdale, Baldock - they are three of our 4 (maybe 5) most expensive ever signings. According to Tony Bloom the squad as a whole is the most lavishly paid.
Hughton is arguably the most experienced manager we have ever had - a number of promotions under his belt, campaigns in the Premiership and rather unlucky to lose a few of his jobs. Throw in the most expensively assembled and handsomely rewarded squad and you'd hope we'd do rather better than...