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Carver Calls For Clarets Clarity
Written by Newcastle Utd
Caretaker-manager John Carver believes Burnley are much better than the Premier League table suggests
By Steven Back
Newcastle United caretaker-manager John Carver is wary of Burnley ahead of their Barclays Premier League clash, insisting the Clarets are much better than their league position suggests.
With boss Alan Pardew currently in talks with Crystal Palace about their vacant managerial position, Carver will take charge of the Magpies on New Year's Day.
The Geordie is putting all distractions to one side and focusing the squad on the task in hand - and that task is newly-promoted Burnley, who superbly came from two down to secure a draw at champions Manchester City last time out.
"When I watched the full game Burnley thoroughly deserved the 2-2 draw," said Carver.
"I mean, this is a side who are down at the bottom of the table but they don't look like a side at the bottom of the table.
"They are very well organised, difficult to break down, they've got good energy and the manager (Sean Dyche) has done a fantastic job. I've seen what Sean has done with the team and it's going to be a tough challenge without a shadow of a doubt.
"All I've got to do is go into the game and get a result against Burnley, and that's the most important thing for me.
"This game is important, so we have to get a result. If we can get 29 points in the first half of the year that would be a fantastic achievement, especially after the start we had."
Carver hopes United's fans will cheer both him and the side on against Burnley at St. James' Park, and play their part in getting 2015 off to a winning start.
The caretaker has great confidence in the character of his side after what has been a turbulent few days on Tyneside.
"I think the fans will be right behind us," he added.
"I'm one of their own, so to speak, so I'm sure they will give us the support that we need.
"I think they fans will be inspired by the performance against Everton, the fact we scored three goals after we created chances, so they will be coming in a buoyant mood.
"And if we get the response from the players that we have had out on the training ground today, we won't have a problem against Burnley.
"We have a real good bunch of guys, their spirit has always been good and they work hard, but they've also been really supportive of the situation."