Newcastle United have finally responded to their alarming slide down the Premier League table - but only by retaining interim head coach John Carver. Alan Pardew's former assistant has overseen 16 Premier League games in charge, but has won just two, losing 11 - including each of his last eight matches, a Magpies record. With three games remaining, Newcastle sit just two points above the relegation following the 3-0 humbling at Leicester City - but two days of crisis talks have only produced a (semi-) vote of confidence for Carver. Carver claimed the players were "possibly not listening" to him and accused Mike Williamson of getting himself "deliberately" sent off following the defeat at the King Power Stadium. Daryl Janmaat was also heavily criticised by the Toon boss for his dismissal in injury-time as well - with Carver effectively making his own position untenable in the aftermath of the match, yet he remains in charge. Supposedly Derby County boss Steve McClaren was approached by the club to take on the job for the final three matches of the season but refused to leave the iPro Stadium - forcing Newcastle to retain Carver's services. And owner Mike Ashley sent managing director Lee Charnley to the Newcastle United training ground on Monday morning to speak with Carver - and tell him he has to turn around the shambles that has become the NUFC first team. Ashley has failed to respond to the Magpies finding themselves in 15th place in the Premier League table - just one point ahead of Leicester, a side who trailed them by 17 points less than two months ago. On Monday, the club released the following statement:
"Following the result at Leicester City on Saturday, there has been two days of frank dialogue with John Carver and senior players. "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 - your Club - retains its Premier League status. That is the only focus at this time."
The Magpies have three games remaining to save themselves. They first entertain Tony Pulis' West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, before heading to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, and then their final match of the season is against Sam Allardyce's West Ham United at St James' Park. It will be Carver, and not a fresh face, who will be charged with keeping the Magpies in the division. Newcastle could well be facing McClaren's Derby in the Championship next season... For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
