nufc.com have had similar thoughts and have put it better than I ever could.
Comparing this situation to Kevin Keegan's time in charge at the club is valid, but rather than his first arrival as manager, our mind turns to the Swindon home game and his "not like the brochure" line.
An upturn came after the manager asserted his position and stared down the board - hopefully it's that element that will be repeated this time.