Carver defends recent decisions

20 May 2015 11:01

Newcastle head coach John Carver has defended his decisions to play in a charity golf tournament and to give his players two days off as the club faces a Barclays Premier League relegation showdown.

Supporters reacted with incredulity when the Magpies' drastically under-achieving squad was given Sunday and Monday off in the wake of their 2-1 defeat at QPR on Saturday, and some were less than impressed to see Carver himself enjoying a day's golf.

However, the 50-year-old has insisted his players will prepare for Sunday's decisive clash with West Ham in the same way as they did for the 1-1 draw with West Brom - the only point they have collected from their last 10 games - and made no apologies for supporting the charity event at Close House Golf Club in Northumberland on Monday, which raised in excess of £500,000 for a local children's heart unit.

Carver said: "Let me just say something. When you attend a charity golf day - and I think we made over £500,000 for the Children's Heart Foundation at the Freeman Hospital, which will enable them to buy at least five scanners to save young children's lives - then that's a worthy cause.

"It didn't interfere with any of our preparations. Our preparation, our days in and days off, are exactly the same as they were before the West Bromwich Albion game.

"I've spoken to quite a few managers and there were lots of managers not in on Sunday and Monday because we all know the final game of the season is on Sunday, so I have a clear conscience.

"We pulled out of this golf charity day two years ago and were criticised for that, so you're dammed if you do and your dammed if you don't. I thought it was important that we do things in the community, we support our local businesses and charities.

"It is a tough time, but sometimes you have to relax as well to get yourself ready and focused for the challenge ahead, and that's where we are now."

Newcastle head into the clash with the Hammers sitting just two points clear of the relegation zone and knowing they must a least match 18th-placed Hull's result against Manchester United if they are to survive, with derby rivals Sunderland needing a maximum of a point from their final two games, trips to Arsenal and Chelsea.

Fans who have boycotted games at St James' Park in recent weeks - in protest as the way owner Mike Ashley is running the club - are being urged by the AshleyOut campaign to support the team during the 90 minutes, but then occupy the stadium afterwards to urge the sportswear magnate to sell up.

Source: PA