And yet AP took us from 5th to 16th and was never in danger apparently.
He didn't, though.
We were 12th when he took over, finished 12th that season, 5th the next, then 16th, then 10th. That obviously constituted enough of a track record (to them) to consolidate his position as someone cheap who'd solidly maintain PL status. Carver can't emulate that.