‘If you can’t motivate yourself for a game as big as this’ then Newcastle are doomed anyway, says Carver

Newcastle United manager John Carver admits he hasn't resorted to any special motivational tactics for Sunday's match against West Ham, noting that the stakes - Premier League survival - should be enough on their own.

Newcastle United manager John Carver reacts during his side's loss to QPR last Saturday. John Sibley / Action Images / Reuters / May 16, 2015

John Carver will use the painful memories of Newcastle United's most recent relegation from the Premier League as motivation for his players as they approach what he has described as the club's biggest game for six years.

Carver’s side go in search of a first victory in 11 games against West Ham United on Sunday as they bid to secure their top flight safety after a season of turmoil at on and off the pitch at St James’ Park.

Anything less than a win against a team managed by their former coach Sam Allardyce will leave Newcastle, who sit just two points above the relegation zone, in danger of going down on what is likely to prove to be a dramatic final day of the campaign.

If Newcastle lose or draw and third bottom Hull City beat Manchester United at the KC Stadium then they will be relegated as they have an inferior goal difference.

But several members of the current Newcastle squad – Fabricio Coloccini, Tim Krul, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor – were at the club when Newcastle were relegated under caretaker manager Alan Shearer, following a final day defeat at Aston Villa in 2009, and Carver has been motivating his players this week by recalling that painful experience.

“I don’t think I’ll be getting any of those individual players to talk specifically to the rest of the squad about that day, but as a group we have discussed their experiences in team meetings,” Carver said.

“Those players they know what it feels like. I talked about their experiences and how they had to deal with what came next, because it wasn’t nice.

“I considered showing the squad something to reinforce what it’s like to be in the Premier League compared to what it’s like to be in the next division down.

“This is what it’s like to go to Old Trafford, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge compared to this is what it’s like to go to the lesser clubs with a smaller changing room and all of that.

“I thought about showing them the fans after the Aston Villa game, but I decided against it because I think if you can’t motivate yourself for a game as big as this, when you’ve got so much to play for, then no matter what I show you, it’s not going to make any difference.”

Carver has won just two of his 19 games in charge since making the step up when Alan Pardew left to join Crystal Palace at the start of the year with Newcastle in 10th place.

The 50-year-old has come in for strong criticism from supporters for overseeing such a dismal run, his unpopularity matched by that of the club’s billionaire owner, Mike Ashley, after taking one point from the last possible 30.

Fans plan a sit-in protest after Sunday’s game, regardless of the outcome, and Carver added: “The fans have a right to do what they want.”

Realistically, West Ham can finish no lower than 12th but that is a disappointment given that they were in the Champions League qualification mix at Christmas.

Allardyce’s contract expires at the end of the season and it is expected that co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will inform him on Monday that it will not be renewed.

“It will be all sorted Monday, one way or the other,” said Allardyce, who revealed he will be on holiday with his grandchildren by then.

“I’m not personally having a meeting but my agent will be available to speak to the owners.”

Allardyce was sacked by Ashley in 2008 after just eight months in charge but insisted revenge was not on his mind.

“It’s not about Newcastle for me,” he said. “Some have suggested I’m all up for winning to send them down, but I’m up for winning for West Ham because that’s where I work.”

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