Ashley Says He Was Wrong!

Last updated : 20 March 2015 By Footy Mad - Editor

"It's a difficult situation,” Carver said. “I've spoken to Lee Charnley who has obviously spoken to Mike, and they acknowledge the fact that we're a little bit short at the back and particularly at centre back.

“There's a process in place, I've been involved in that process for a few weeks now, there's big meeting in the next couple of weeks with Lee Charnley and Graham Carr to talk about the future, and to talk about investment.

“I've seen who we are looking at and without going into detail there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes. This football club will invest in the summer, because it needs it.”

Carver has a threadbare squad to choose from when in-form Arsenal visit St James’ Park tomorrow. Mike Williamson is the club’s only fit senior centre-back, meaning right-back Daryl Janmaat will move into the middle and one of midfield duo Jack Colback or Jonas Gutierrez will be tasked with playing at left-back.

While discussions are taking place in terms of summer recruitment the Newcastle hierarchy must also make a decision over who will succeed Alan Pardew on a long-term basis.

Carver has made it clear he would like to lead the club beyond the end of the campaign, but having guided the Magpies to two wins in 11 matches in remains to be seen whether he is given the chance.

Asked whether he is paying the price for the club not spending in January, Carver said: “Yes, the squad needs to be stronger and they have acknowledged that to me, Lee and the board have acknowledged that to me, and that's why I am saying to you now they are going to invest, because they know they have to.

“The fact that Lee and Mike have acknowledged that doesn't make me feel better, but at least the people understand out there that that's what happened.

“I have always said from day one, I have got to deal with the situation, and I will. Now, who knows what they are thinking? They might take this into consideration, I don't know.

“But what I won't do is I won't give up on it, I won't think, 'Well, I've got all those people out, that's it, that's me done, I'm not going to get this job'. I'm not going to think that way.

“What I have to say is, take all those injuries away and we have got 26 professionals. Now that is a decent-sized squad and under normal circumstances, that's not a problem with three or four injuries. Five or six is pushing it, but not as many as that.”