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Carver Looks To Put The Record Straight
Written by Newcastle Utd
John Carver is determined to put an end to United's poor recent Tyne-Wear derby record this weekend
By Emily Bulmer
Newcastle United head coach John Carver has been rallying his troops this week as the Magpies go in search of their first Tyne-Wear derby win since August 2011.
They travel to local rivals Sunderland on Sunday (4pm kick-off), having lost the last four meetings with the Black Cats - the latest of which came just before Christmas when Adam Johnson struck a last-gasp winner at the Gallowgate End.
But Carver is determined to change United's fortunes this weekend.
"Growing up as a Newcastle fan it's the first fixture you look for on the list," he said.
"As a manager it's a proud moment. We all know it's one of the biggest games in the North-East and so it's something I'm more than looking forward to.
"Our record isn't very good and so I'm looking to break that. I think we have more than enough in the dressing room to do so. It's a big occasion and we don't want to make it five losses in a row."
Carver also rejected suggestions that his overseas stars will not understand the importance of the fixture against their neighbours from Wearside.
"There's a lot of people out there that say our foreign players won't understand what the derby means," added the head coach.
"But the majority of players in our dressing room have played in at least one and we drum into all of them how important this fixture is.
"Hopefully over the last four games they'll have felt a bit of hurt because I certainly have, and sometimes that's what you need to spur you on.
"It's a cup final for us and that's how we'll treat it. Any team of mine that goes up against Sunderland will not be faulted for lack of effort, determination or not knowing what it means to the Club and the fans. I'll be driving those guys forward."
Sunderland appointed Dick Advocaat as their head coach last month following the departure of Gus Poyet from the Stadium of Light hot seat.
And while he and Carver may have seemed an unlikely pairing to be coming head-to-head at the start of the season, the latter believes he may hold the advantage.
"At least I know what this game means, whereas it's Dick's first derby," said Carver.
"He's in a difficult situation because he's only had a couple of weeks to get to know his players. I'm sure he'll get them prepared, he'll have been able to get a couple of things across and he's got a boost in the return of (Lee) Cattermole.
"Sunderland have outworked us in previous games and that's not a good stat to have - I don't like that.
"If we can cover anywhere near as much ground with the same intensity as we did against Arsenal then we have a great chance at winning.
"I think we have everything to play for. We have a lot to prove. It's not good enough to lose the last four derby games and I'll be banging that drum in the dressing room without a doubt."