John Carver: "I feel in contention, absolutely - why wouldn't I? I'm not a defeatist. I'm a positive guy and I'm not going to write myself off.
"The club know the situation. A lot of people might write me off. A lot of ex-players and pundits might - they're entitled to do that. They don't see the work I do every day to prepare the team, but people on the inside do.
"Only they [the hierarchy] know, but every time I get together with them, they are positive.
"Whether that's to keep me going or they have someone else lined up, I don't know. That doesn't affect me. The future will take care of itself. I'm just concentrating on now."
Carver is fighting for his future at a time when fans are in open revolt over the way the club is being run, with activists calling for a 34th-minute protest during the Swansea game - a reference to the £34million the club banked during the last financial year - as well as peaceful demonstrations outside branches of owner Mike Ashley's Sports Direct chain.
Thousands boycotted last Sunday's 3-1 home defeat by Tottenham as they made their feelings known about the club's perceived lack of investment in recent seasons, and the delay in appointing Pardew's replacement.