Newcastle back John Carver despite run of eight defeats in eight matches
Newcastle have backed their under fire manager John Carver despite a run of eight defeats in eight matches that has left Newcastle 15th in the league and only two points outside the relegation zone.After a morning meeting with Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley, Carver is set to remain in charge at St James’s Park until the end of the season and the club have issued a statement to say the staff and players have accepted “responsibility for the current situation” and are determined to ensure the side retains its Premier League status.
“Following the result at Leicester City on Saturday, there has been two days of frank dialogue with John Carver and senior players,” read the statement. “The outcome of those discussions is that the board, John Carver, his staff and players are absolutely focused on our current situation and the three hugely-important fixtures that remain this season, two of which are at St. James’ Park. All parties accept responsibility for the current situation but are determined, together, to ensure this club retains its Premier League status. That is the only focus at this time.”
Steve McClaren has long been high on Newcastle’s shortlist to take over as manager. The former England manager’s Derby County side missed out on a Championship play-off spot after a limp final day defeat at home to Reading. Taking charge at Newcastle might present McClaren with a route back to Premier League management should the club stay up. However he is thought not to be interested in taking over for Newcastle’s final three games of the season.
After Newcastle’s 3-0 defeat to Leicester, Carver admitted that it was possible that he was not inspiring his players. In a sign that he may not be on same wavelength as his squad, he also suggested that the Newcastle centre-back Mike Williamson may have got himself sent off on purpose during the match - a charge the player denies.
“I have to admit there’s a chance they’re just not listening to me,” said Carver. “That might be one factor of many and you have to consider it. You have to consider it and take it into account. But it might be a lot of other things – we might not be good enough, we might not have enough desire to want to defend in the box or score at the other end. There’s a lot of factors but I won’t deny that [the players not listening] could be one of them.
“All I will say is that the responses I’ve seen on the training ground don’t suggest that. I know it’s different playing matches from playing on the training ground, and I want match footballers not training-ground footballers. But I see how those players are playing for me on the training ground and going into the game and I’m happy. But then they keep shooting themselves in the foot.”
Carver was made the Newcastle caretaker manager after Alan Pardew left the club to join Crystal Palace at the end of 2014.
He was appointed until the end of the season but wanted to do the job on a long term basis. He had hoped to prove his worth during the season’s run-in but has not guided his side to a win since the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in February.http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/04/newcastle-back-john-carver
