Eddie Howe made one thing clear when he sat down at his first Newcastle United press conference back in November at St James' Park.
Back then he warned that he could offer "no guarantees" when it came to leading the Magpies to Premier League survival.
At the time it could be argued that was a risky - if not honest - strategy from a head coach that arrived on Tyneside still burned by relegation with AFC Bournemouth in 2020.
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Just one month ago the pain was etched across Howe's face as he spoke to the media following the 1-1 draw with Watford, a game in which Joao Pedro's late equaliser not only banked the Hornets a point but also kept the black and whites in the relegation zone.
If a month is a long time in football though the 91 days that Howe has been in charge feels like an eternity.
Newcastle were winless when Howe took the hotseat back on November 9 and had just five points to their name and found themselves five points from safety.
They were very much the Damned United - but Howe has managed to double Brian Clough's infamous 44 day stint at Leeds, arguably by taking a calm approach at a club renowned for running on emotion.
As things stand Newcastle are in the top four of the Premier League form table with only Wolves, Man City and Liverpool ahead of them.
As they prepare for their 24th top-flight game of the season they are now four points above the safety line and arguably five wins away from staving off the threat of the drop.
Five golden wins would put them on 36 points, the magical figure that has been more than enough to keep Premier League teams in the heavyweight division for the last five years.
Howe did not have an automatic answer when asked by Chronicle Live on what he had changed in those 91 days.
Whatever it is, however, it appears to be a different approach to the previous management team, Howe said: "It's difficult to answer that question - I have no idea what was happening here beforehand.
"All I have done is worked with what I think is right for the team in their current position and with the players we have.
"I know that sounds quite simple.
"But it's a case of getting the fundamentals right.
"We are making sure the work on the training ground is as good and detailed as it can be."
Howe booted a water bottle in anger when Newcastle failed to block the cross that led to Pedro's goal against his side back in January.
But stopping crosses has been noticeable in recent matches and Howe says: "We're making sure is as organised as it can be.
"I am trying to develop every player to the best of my ability.
"That has always been my focus.
"Making sure any player in the team or not tries to improve."
United have got better in midfield and look a much better proposition in the engine room too, even if players like Joe Willock - whose goals kept Newcastle up last term - has a different role.
Howe said: "Joe Willock we have worked hard with and he's shown a great attitude to show different qualities to his game.
"Joe is naturally a talented lad.
"Last year you all seen the number of goals he scored.
"But right now he is knuckling down for the team and showing huge discipline.
"He's blocking shots and stopping crosses late into the game.
"That is hugely satisfying from my point of view.
"I think there's been a slight change of mentality from him.
"Jonjo is playing his game but in a very effective way.
"I saw Joelinton as a number 8 that tracks and blocks blind side runs.
"I didn't see that (before).
"The first time I saw it was the Norwich game when he played in that role.
"He was brilliant that day.
"We have continued to develop and work with him on lots of aspects of his game in that position.
"And I think his general performances have been so impressive both with and without possession so huge compliments to him."
There's no doubt the arrival of Rolls Royce midfielder Bruno Guimarães has made players in the middle of the park step up and buck up the competition for places.
Howe has the same dilemma as last week - a welcome one - as he had to decide whether to pick the same winning team in the midfield area or hand Bruno his full debut away to West Ham.
At the London Stadium Newcastle will arguably run into the best player in the country at this moment in time in Declan Rice.
Rice's energy and enthusiasm set a high bar for everybody in the Premier League and around Europe and his guile on the pitch has put West Ham with a shout of Champions League football.
But Howe, speaking about his own team, said: "We're in a good place.
"We're very disciplined, using a lot of energy, teamwork, team spirit and togetherness.
"That has made the difference for us.
"Consistency is the hardest thing to deliver."
A shock victory at West Ham would almost definitely mean it's a case of: "Crisis, what crisis?" for Newcastle while a draw would be more than respectable.
Howe said: "I am only allowing myself to look at the next game.
"That's all we can do.
"It's amazing how quickly the mood can change and same for everybody externally.
"Internally we have to be very calm, very focused on what we are delivering.
"We are working very hard on the training ground to get our preparation right.
"Our performances have improved as a team.
"Nothing is going to derail me from that process continuing.
"So it's all about hard work and hitting those levels of intensity of the last three games.
"Our out of possession play has been really good.
"It's a huge compliment to the players but now we need to continue it and show we are consistent in our work."
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