John Carver: No boss has had to deal with what I have

It may be one final show of bravado, but John Carver insists he has “thoroughly enjoyed’’ being Newcastle boss even though he has brought them to the brink of disaster.

The Magpies face West Ham and former manager Sam Allardyce at St James’ Park today knowing only a win will guarantee Premier League survival.

Carver, whose comment that he is the best coach in the Premier League rebounded badly, has also come under fire from fans.

But against a background of a supporters’ boycott and protests at owner Mike Ashley’s running of the club, Carver claims no manager has had such a bruising ride.

He said: “In five months, I don’t think any other manager would have had to deal with what I’ve had to deal with in their whole careers.

“But in a really strange way, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it I really have! I think I got softened up a bit when Alan was here and he was taking a bit of abuse.

“I think I got used to it. It’s not a nice thing to accept. But I’m definitely a stronger person and better for it.

“Whatever happens, I have absolutely no regrets. If I had the chance again, I would do exactly the same. I’d say, ‘Yes, I want this job, I’ll do it my way’. I would just like to think I would have a little bit more luck and the rub of the green.

“I’ve thrown every minute of the day into this job, I’ve sacrificed so many different things my family, my social life but I don’t mind that because I understood how big this job was.

“It’s difficult when you’re making all those sacrifices and taking abuse, but I would do it again. My wife thinks I’m mad, but I think most managers’ wives think they’re mad.’’

Carver admits he won’t be able to ignore events at Hull. He said: “Brucie used to say the hardest part of the job is that 90 minutes and he’s spot-on. That’s because it’s out of your hands.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to escape what’s happening at Hull. What I won’t do is worry about it. But you hear the crowd and the TV people are there, so I’ll be aware of it probably.

“I have to try to stay focused, but as the game develops, it does come into your thinking.’’

Carver is tempted to gamble on the fitness of 11-goal top-scorer Papiss Cisse, who hasn’t started since the 1-0 home defeat by Man United in early March.

While serving a seven-match ban for a spitting incident with Jonny Evans in that game, the Senegal striker, 29, had a screw removed from the knee he broke near the end of last season.

Since returning he’s made only two sub appearances, and Carver said: “He’s come back quicker than we ever expected and I think most of us saw he wasn’t right when he came on last weekend at QPR.

“But Papiss has had more training, so if we start with him he’ll be in a better frame of mind.

“I would be a fool not to be considering that and he has to take a lot of credit for wanting to be up for selection.

“He was so disappointed he didn’t start last weekend, which is testament to him.

“To be honest, I’d written him off for the rest of the season after what he went through and it was a big surprise when he put himself up for the fight, so that’s great.”