Wednesday 28 January 2015 18:25, UK
John Carver says he will not allow Newcastle's season to 'drift away' after being appointed head coach until the end of the season.
Newcastle have lost their last three games and the 50-year-old former assistant manager is seeking his first win since succeeding Alan Pardew earlier this month when he takes his side to Hull on Saturday.
"I'm delighted to have got the job until the end of the season," Carver told the club website.
Everybody on the outside is talking about our season petering away but I am not going to allow that to happen.
"Everyone knows I love this club and my goals are simple - to finish as high as we can in the Premier League and get as many points as we can. Everybody on the outside is talking about our season petering away but I am not going to allow that to happen.
"Those who are saying that don't know me, don't know the people around me and don't know this group of players. We're much more professional than that. We can't afford to let the season drift away and I won't allow it to happen. I'm too demanding and I won't allow anyone to slacken off between now and the end of May."
Carver insists his promotion to the top job does not mean he will be spending any less time on the training ground.
"I love being on the training pitch and the role of the head coach is to be hands-on out here," he said.
"When you are a manager you have to manage the football club, but the role has changed and it gives me maximum time on the training ground, coaching the players.
"What I have done is given Steve Stone and Dave Watson more responsibility because they are very good at what they do, and it is important that you delegate to those who are talented. But when it comes to the meat of the session, it is my responsibility to prepare the team for the final 16 games.
"The players have been really positive and have responded. Even though we haven't won a game yet, I think we've played some nice stuff in spells. Ultimately though, it is about scoring goals and winning games so that needs to change."
Carver's hopes of a first victory could be boosted by the return of top scorer Papiss Cisse following Senegal's early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
