HIS role as interim head coach is due to expire at the end of the season, but John Carver is playing the long game as he attempts to secure a permanent position at Newcastle United.

With Newcastle’s boardroom team still to decide on their long-term successor to Alan Pardew, Carver is treating his current role as an extended opportunity to press his credentials for a lengthy spell in charge of the Magpies.

On the field, things have not really been going to plan, with his eight games in the dug-out resulting in one win, three draws and four defeats, the worst of which saw Newcastle repeatedly ripped apart as they lost 5-0 at Manchester City last weekend.

Off the pitch, however, Carver is attempting to lay the foundations for a lengthy reign. He has been involved in the planning process for this summer’s pre-season schedule, worked closely with the medical staff to devise a summer training plan, and discussed the future of Ryan Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Sammy Ameobi, all of who are out-of-contract this summer, with the club’s hierarchy.

While the likes of Remi Garde, Christophe Galtier and Steve McClaren have their supporters amongst the Magpies fan base, Carver clearly believes that possession is nine tenths of the law. The boyhood Newcastle fan is revelling in his current position, and is not about to give it up lightly.

“I’ve always been someone who thinks long term, long term, and that hasn’t changed,” said Carver, who will be back on the touchline at St James’ Park this afternoon as his side take on Aston Villa. “All the conversations I’ve had (with the hierarchy) have been long term, long term.

“That’s the way I’ve been thinking. We’ve had a session on pre-season dates and dates for returning, and that’s something I’ll be looking to drive forward. We haven’t finalised the venues of where we’ll be going yet, but we’re talking about different options.

“I don’t directly get involved in the contract situations (with the players who are due to become free agents). It doesn’t really concern me, but I’ve given my opinion on what my thoughts are, definitely.

“My opinion is that the whole process when you’re involved in football has to be about thinking long term. I could have a contract as head coach for three years, be making lots of plans for the long term, and that could still change in an instant. That’s just the way you have to be.”

In the short term, Newcastle’s primary aim this afternoon is to produce a powerful response to last weekend’s desultory showing at the Etihad.

The Magpies were outclassed from start to finish as they shipped five goals for the first time this season, and while Manchester City’s players are capable of outperforming anyone on their day, the extent of Newcastle’s surrender raised questions about a potential lack of motivation in the final 12 games of the season.

Unsurprisingly, Carver bridles at suggestions his players have nothing left to play for, but he concedes they will have to prove as much when they perform in front of their home fans later today.

“I think the players have pride,” he said. “What happened last weekend hurts, and I don’t think it’s in their nature to lie down. If I was seeing that on the training ground that would be a bit of a concern. But that's not something I've seen, and it’s not one of the traits of the team.

“The players know we didn't give a performance that was worthy of getting a result at City so I don't think I'll have to say too much to them before this game because I think I know how they'll react.

“We’ve had similar results in the past and the response has been very positive. I don’t think there’s any reason why we shouldn’t be going into this game in a positive frame of mind.”

Fabricio Coloccini’s slipshod display came in for particular criticism last weekend, with the skipper appearing to switch off as City scored two of their goals.

The Argentinian has failed to hit top form for the majority of the campaign, but Carver insists he is more than happy with his captain’s performances despite recent results.

“He's been great for me,” he said. “He’s the captain of this team, he holds us together and he’s been outstanding in the opinion of me, my staff and the players, in the games we’ve been playing. 

“As a leader, he’s huge for us with his personality. There are not many proper leaders like that in the Premier League anymore if I’m perfectly honest.

“We rely on him. He’s been a great servant to this football club, and as far as I’m concerned, I think the fans like him. Everybody’s going to get criticised, especially after the result we’ve just had, and sometimes you just have to take that on the chin.”