JOHN CARVER has admitted that the aftermath of Newcastle United’s Wear-Tyne derby defeat to Sunderland has resulted in some of the “darkest days” of his footballing career.

The Magpies head coach has spent this week reflecting on Jermain Defoe’s derby winner at the Stadium of Light, and concedes that the pain remains as intense as ever.

He made his first public appearance since Sunderland inflicted a fifth successive derby defeat in a row this afternoon, and acknowledged that the fall out from last weekend will dominate the remainder of the season.

Carver said: “It’s been an extremely difficult few days. Monday was one of the darkest days of my career. I’m trying not to show that in front of the players, but it was the manner of the defeat.

“We accept it wasn’t good enough, and I’m talking about the people at the top down to the tea lady. It just wasn’t good enough at the weekend.

“I confined myself to the house on Monday, then on Tuesday it was the golf club as it’s the only place we can go without getting any abuse, so we (Carver and Steve Stone) spoke about a lot of things on football, and it was very beneficial. It was away from everything and it gave me a little bit of thinking.

“Sometimes, you can react in the wrong manner. I didn’t really speak to the players on Monday to control myself and give myself thinking time.”

Prior to the weekend, the common consensus was that Newcastle were destined for a comfortable mid-table finish, but with the majority of the sides at the bottom of the table winning, the Magpies suddenly find themselves thrust into the relegation battle.

They currently boast a nine-point advantage over 18th-placed QPR, but with Liverpool and Tottenham providing the opposition in the next two matches, it would be dangerous to take anything for granted.

Carver said: “You’ve always got to be worried, but don’t forget we sat here a month ago saying it would be a difficult run.

“You’re only as good as your last game, and now we have a seven-game season. The next couple of games are tough, but then after that they look a bit more favourable.

“There’s only nine points in it – if we get nothing at Liverpool, it could be six points. We have to get points, and I’m not that interested in how we play – it’s about picking up points however we can.

“The next seven games will define the players. There’s a lot out of contract in the summer and there’s a lot (going) into their last year, so there’s a lot to prove.”

Mehdi Abeid is contending for a starting spot at Anfield, but neither Rolando Aarons or Siem de Jong will be risked despite taking part in full training this week.

Carver said: “For the first time today, Rolando and Siem joined in with us in 11 vs 11. It’s the first time we’ve opened up the pitches for them. Rolando is ahead of Siem, but he won’t be available this weekend and neither will Siem.”