NEWCASTLE: John Carver will use the painful memories of Newcastle's most recent relegation from the Premier League as motivation for his players as they approach what he has described as the club's biggest game for six years.
Carver's side go in search of a first victory in 11 games against West Ham on Sunday as they bid to secure their top flight safety after a season of turmoil at on and off the pitch at St James' Park.
Anything less than a win against a team managed by their former boss Sam Allardyce will leave Newcastle, who sit just two points above the relegation zone, in danger of going down on what is likely to prove to be a dramatic final day of the campaign.
If Newcastle lose or draw and third bottom Hull beat Manchester United at the KC Stadium then they will be relegated as they have an inferior goal difference to the Tigers.
But several members of the current Newcastle squad - Fabricio Coloccini, Tim Krul, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor - were at the club when Newcastle were relegated under caretaker manager Alan Shearer, following a final day defeat at Aston Villa in 2009, and Carver has been motivating his players this week by recalling that painful experience.
"I don't think I'll be getting any of those individual players to talk specifically to the rest of the squad about that day, but as a group we have discussed their experiences in team meetings," Carver said.
"Those players they know what it feels like. I talked about their experiences and how they had to deal with what came next, because it wasn't nice.
"I considered showing the squad something to reinforce what it's like to be in the Premier League compared to what it's like to be in the next division down.
"This is what it's like to go to Old Trafford, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge compared to this is what it's like to go to the lesser clubs with a smaller changing room and all of that.
"I thought about showing them the fans after the Aston Villa game, but I decided against it because I think if you can't motivate yourself for a game as big as this, when you've got so much to play for, then no matter what I show you, it's not going to make any difference."
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