IT’S easy to blame the hapless John Carver, Newcastle’s former interim manager, for the slow-motion car crash that was the last five months of the club’s season.

Nine defeats in their last 11 games saw the club still in danger of relegation at half-time of the last game of the season.

But even when they kicked off the season under Alan Pardew the warning signs were there.

It took Newcastle until the eighth league game of the season to register a win, 1-0 at home to newly promoted Leicester.

The win was the first of six from eight games that included victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea — a run that in effect saved Newcastle from the drop.

But following that win against the eventual champions the Magpies conspired to lose three in a row and the criticism was too much for Pardew, who upped sticks for Crystal Palace.

Perhaps things would have been different had billionaire owner Mike Ashley managed to prize his first choice Steve McClaren away from Derby County to replace Pardew straight away.

As it is, he had to wait until the close of the season to secure the services of the former England boss.

Much will hinge on the club’s first signing of the summer. A much maligned coach due to the stench of failure that clings to him from his England tenure, McClaren is also a much underrated manager.

That his career should be defined by his time in charge of the national team is grossly unfair to man who, thanks to League Cup success with Middlesbrough and a Dutch league title with FC Twente, is arguably the most successful English manager of his generation.

McClaren’s experience on the continent could be crucial. It suggests he will fit in well with Newcastle’s more European structure and that his coaching philosophy will appeal to the European contingent among the players.

Georginio Wijnaldum, who was McClaren’s first signing when he joined for £14.5 million from PSV Eindhoven, certainly cited the coach’s presence as a factor in his decision to join the Magpies. He is an experienced 24-year-old with three 14-goal seasons under his belt. If he settles quickly it is likely Newcastle will do well.

He was quickly followed through the door by Alek-sandar Mitrovic, a £13m capture from Anderlecht. He scored 20 goals in 37 games last season and, as with Wijnaldum, if he can replicate that form for Newcastle the club shouldn’t be worried about relegation.

The Magpies also look set to sign another Anderlecht player, defender Chancel Mbemba, international clearance permitting, to strengthen a leaky defence.

Perhaps shocked by how close last season came to abject disaster, Ashley looks likely to continue to sanction spending with a bid for QPR’s Charlie Austin looking likely. But once again Newcastle go into a season with question marks as to what the season holds.

A new manager, another raft of new players, which while costly lack Premier League experience, suggest it could be one of transition. But how much patience do the fans have? One thing that could appease them would be a cup run. The question is will Ashley, who infamously said they are not a priority, allow that?