On the bright side, Newcastle United now have a head coach in place until the end of the season.
On the downside, it is not someone most of their fans actually wanted, they do not look like doing any business in the January transfer window that will actually improve their squad and the results of late have been nothing but poor.
The Magpies know that it is all too easy to get dragged into a relegation dogfight and there is no such thing as being too big a club to go down – they learnt that lesson the hard way, and whilst they are some way off the drop zone at the minute, unless they pick themselves up and manage to get some points on the board, the slide down the table can be quick – and devastating.
For a side who at one point were flirting with a European place, they are now eleventh in the table, and could see their season go one of three ways. There is the most likely option of midtable mediocrity, something that will probably cost them a couple of their players come the summer and something that is not exactly enthralling to watch for the remainder of the season.
They could also manage to string together some results and actually push for a Europa League place and at least give the Toon Army something to shout about on matchdays. More disturbingly, they could see themselves slip down the table and given Carver is yet to win a game, in league or cup, that is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Of course it may take some time for Carver to fully get to grips with the top job and he does have until the end of the season – but points wise he may not have that long.
The general consensus among the regulars at St James Park seems to be it is a case of same old, same old, and Carver certainly does not seem to be their pick for the job – but for now, they are willing to wait until the summer. As long as he gets a win soon.
Newcastle United fans. Will you get dragged into a relegation fight if things don’t improve? Let us know your thoughts below, become a guest blogger or tweet us @LaFootyettes.