Keegan's side ended a turbulent campaign in defeat yesterday, losing 3-1 to Everton at Goodison Park.

The result left the club on 43 points, equalling last season's worst-ever Premier League tally.

But Keegan has seen enough from his players over the past two months to convince him he has the ingredients for a strong challenge next term, when he hopes to be rivalling the likes of Everton – whose win booked their place in the UEFA Cup – for a European place.

When he took over, the club was lurching towards the relegation zone.

But a seven-game unbeaten run ensured another season of top-flight football at St James's Park.

And Keegan believes it is now a time for reflection, with the club's plight earlier in the year putting their 12th-place finish in context.

He told the Gazette: "It was a challenge, and I think the players have done marvellously to get together and sort it out.

"The bigger the club, the bigger the scalp it is in this league.

"There will be players who will go home and reflect over the summer, and think they could have had better seasons and contributed a bit more, and players who think they should have been given more chances.

"And there will be players who know they've given everything, and just not had enough around them.

"I said we didn't want to go down as the worst ever, and we've equalled it. What can I say?

"It's disappointing, but at one time it didn't look like we'd get that many.

"You've just got to be grateful for small mercies. We've had a transition in the manager, but we haven't had a transition of players, as we haven't signed any yet.

"It's not a surprise. When things don't go smoothly at a football club, you don't pick up the points you should.

"We can write whatever we want about this club this year, but it's definitely going to go down as a disappointing season.

"I'd like to think the supporters can go off and have a little break now."