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Carver Plans To Storm The Palace
Written by Newcastle Utd
John Carver has praised Alan Pardew but plans to wipe the smile off the Crystal Palace boss' face
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
John Carver has labelled Alan Pardew as "one of the best coaches" he has worked with - but plans to wipe the smile off the former Newcastle United boss' face.
After four years on Tyneside, Pardew swapped St. James' Park for Crystal Palace last month, and the Magpies go head-to-head with the Eagles in Barclays Premier League action on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off).
Carver revealed he owes much to Pardew for appointing him as United assistant manager in January 2011, however friendships will go out of the window for 90 minutes as both men look to pick up maximum points.
"I didn't really know Alan before, but he gave me the opportunity to come back here so I am entirely grateful for that," explained head coach Carver.
"We are good friends, he has been fantastic to work with and I learnt so much from him. I've worked with a lot of top coaches and managers and he is certainly one of the best coaches I have been on a training ground with.
"He was such a hands-on manager but also trusted me to get on with the job when he wasn't there, which I did. We had a fantastic working relationship.
"He has a fantastic record (at Crystal Palace), with four wins out of five in the league, but hopefully I will take the smile off his face this week.
"We are both professionals and we both want to win every game we go in to.
"It will be competitive - we will be toe-to-toe in the technical areas, don't worry about that, but afterwards there will be one big cuddle."
Last term, United triumhed 3-0 at Selhurst Park, while when they visited the Eagles earlier this season in the Capital One Cup, Paul Dummett's extra-time header secured a 3-2 victory.
"Our record there is excellent," admitted Carver.
"We've already been there once this season, and won in the cup after extra-time.
"It's a stadium that will be lively and we will have to deal with fanatical support, which we all know about.
"But let's not forget a lot of Geordies live in London. Our support down there for the cup game was superb and we need the same again."