Thursday 1 January 2015 19:28, UK
Newcastle caretaker manager John Carver admitted his side deserved to lose in their 3-3 draw with Burnley at St James’ Park.
The Magpies went in front three times, but Sean Dyche’s men equalised inside the final five minutes to secure a point on Tyneside.
Playing without manager Alan Pardew, who looks set to take over at Crystal Palace, the hosts were second best after the break and Carver believes they were lucky to come away with a draw.
“I think we were a tad fortunate because in my eyes, after the second-half performance, I thought there was only one team going to win it,” he said.
“If I can take one positive from it, it was the fact we didn’t lose the game. Never mind three points, we didn’t deserve a point. I’ve told the guys that and they know that – they’re very disappointed in there. The unfortunate thing is we’ve got to pick up and go again in two days’ time.
“We’ve got some young lads in there who have had a lot of football over this Christmas period. I’m not using that as an excuse because so have Burnley, and they’ve had a steady team over the last six or seven games.”
Burnley held Newcastle at Turf Moor at the beginning of December, as well as beating Southampton and drawing at Manchester City in a good month for Dyche’s men.
The Clarets still lie in the bottom three, but Carver admitted his side struggled with the visitors’ style and believes they can escape relegation
“I just felt we couldn’t handle a different type of football against us,” he said. “I thought they were very, very direct and that’s an effective way to play. That’s how they played against Man City and got a great result, they beat Southampton doing the same thing, so we know how they’re going to play and it’s effective. If that’s what gets Burnley survival for next year then that’s great.”
With Pardew’s appointment at Crystal Palace seemingly imminent, several names have been suggested for the manager’s position at St James’ Park.
Carver admitted he would like another management job at some point in his career, but remained coy when quizzed over whether he would like the Newcastle post.
“There’s nothing better than being the main man and making decisions,” he said. “But sometimes results make those decisions for you.
“Only time will tell. I will [manage] again whether it’s sooner rather than later, or whether it’s here or somewhere else, but I’m looking forward to all the challenges that are coming in the New Year. I don’t even know if Alan’s gone yet, officially, so I’m standing here now as the assistant manager of this football club.”
