What Happened Last Time John Carver Was Newcastle United Manager

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was given permission to speak to Crystal Palace yesterday about their vacant manager's position after the two clubs agreed on a £2 million compensation package. Pardew's trusty leftenant, John Carver, has been installed as caretaker manager until The Magpies' owner Mike Ashley finds a suitable replacement. The Toon are in safe hands if Carver's record in the role is anything to go by. The 49-year-old is one of the few managers in the history of football with a 100% win record following his previous tenure as NUFC's babysitter-in-chief. Albeit, this incredible win percentage came from just one game after the late, great Sir Bobby Robson was inexplicably sacked in September 2004. The former England manager, who was also assisted by Geordie John, guided Newcastle to three top five finishes, the Champions League second group phase, a UEFA Cup semi-final and an FA Cup semi-final during five memorable years at St James' Park, but this didn't stop Freddy Shepard from wielding the axe. Sir Bobby was told to clear his desk and take his golf clubs home after just four games of the 2004/05 season. Newcastle, the perennial slow starters under Robson, lost two and drew two as the new season began. The Toon were held to a 2€“2 at Middlesbrough after taking the lead twice, surrendered a 2€“0 lead against newly promoted Norwich City to draw 2€“2 and surrendered a 2€“1 lead to lose 4€“2 at Aston Villa. Newcastle also disappointingly lost 1-0 at home to a bang average Tottenham Hotspur side. There was also strong rumours of dressing room unrest following the signing of Barcelona's Patrick Kluivert and the alleged revolt of players such as Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer. The signing of Kluivert was proving to be problematic on the pitch as well as off it. Sir Bobby simply couldn't decide which strike force was his best. He had Alan Shearer, Shola Ameobi, Bellamy and the Dutchman to chose from and used every combination possible. All four were used in what turned out to be his last game at Villa Park, such was his confusion. Graeme Souness was the man Shepard chose to rule the club with an iron fist as its star threatened to take control. Ironically, of course, Newcastle's next game was against the Sou's current employers Blackburn Rovers and Geordie John was the man charged with getting a much needed win.

Carver recalled Shearer, dropped Kluivert, recalled Robbie Elliott in place of Olivier Bernard, dropped new signing Nicky Butt and started Dyer on the right wing, a position he refused to play under Sir Bobby. Geordie John really showed who was boss. The team looked rejuvenated, as if they had been given the kick up the backside Sir Bobby simply didn't have the authority to give them any more. The onlooking Souness must have dreaded following this performance. Indeed, the Toon Army wouldn't see a display of this intensity until Mr Souness was sacked 18 months later. Newcastle ran out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Shearer, Andy O'Brien and an own goal from Blackburn's Garry Flitcroft.

Fast forward 10 years and roughly three months and Geordie John finds himself in the same position. He has been told he will take charge of the game at home to Burnley on New Year's Day and the FA Cup tie at Leicester. After four defeats on the spin, in what turned out to be the manager's last game in charge, Pardew's Newcastle put in a rallying display to come from a goal down to beat Everton 3-2 at St James' Park. This would have made John's first training session on Tuesday a whole load easier. We can expect much of the same on Thursday against Sean Dyche's Clarets. You can tell Geordie John will not accept anything less than 100% effort from every member of his squad so he can keep his 100% win record in tact. Like he did in 2004, Carver will uncomplicate things in both the team's approach and selection, which may see Yoan Gouffran relegated to the bench. (We can pray) Undoubtedly, Carver has Newcastle United pumping through his veins and will stop at nothing to get the two wins. Who knows, he might just be the man to take the club through till the end of the season...