John Carver and Cheick Tiote both committed their long term future to Newcastle United as they both signed contracts today. Tiote, who Newcastle signed from FC Twente last summer has been a revelation in midfield alongside Kevin Nolan. Tiote goes from an £8,000 p/week deal to a £50,000 p/week deal according to the Sun (we all know how reliable they are). The contract is until 2016/17.

John Carver meanwhile, who was brought in on a temporary basis by Alan Pardew, signs a five-and-a-half year deal to keep him at St. James’s Park for the forseeable future. It’s Carver’s hometown club, so we can only expect the signing of the contract to be a formality really. He would have had to really mess things up for a long term contract not to be offered.

However, before we all dance into the Strawberry and toast Mike Ashley for investing in the club, we have to remember that not long before he was sold, none other than Andy Carroll signed a long term contract. I hate to put a downer on things because I’m all for quality players committing their future at NUFC, but there’s something about this which seems too good to be true.

If we get Barton and Enrique on long term deals, then I may start to lighten up the tone. I just have that sneaky feeling that Mike Ashley isn’t finished messing with Newcastle just yet.

John Carver was today appointed Newcastle United assistant manager. Carver fills the number two spot that’s been available since the departure of Colin Calderwood to Hibernian, and is Carver’s return to football after serving as Gary Speed’s assistant at Sheffield United.

Carver brings a wealth of experience and is knowledgeable about the club after serving under Bobby Robson in what was the club’s most successful period since the Kevin Keegan days. The Chronicle are revealing that Carver will work as Alan Pardew’s assistant until the end of the season, what happens after that is yet to be announced. The short-term deal was said to be requested by Pardew so that he can get to know John Carver better, and see if the two of them can work together.

The appointment of John Carver as assistant manager is great news for Newcastle United – not only on the footballing side, but on the side of personnel. Carver clearly understands how important football is to the people of Newcastle, and is a shrewd appointment by Alan Pardew. He knows the players, the staff, and has a sound knowledge of football.

Are you happy with this appointment? Was Carver the best choice? Let us know.

Nottingham Forest put a dent in our title ambitions as what appeared to be a very unmotivated Newcastle side struggled early on.

Forest had the best of the first half and were unfortunate to only go in to the half-time break with a one goal lead. Newcastle were guilty of:

• Giving away possession (Are you listening Marlon Harewood?)
• Not making the best of our chances
• Woeful passing

I listened to the game on Radio Newcastle where John Carver was doing the commentary. I wish he was in the dugout instead – what a waste of a footballing brain. How he’s not employed I have no idea. His comments were spot on.

Unlike the Scousers who played at the Mackems, we don’t have the misfortune of blaming a big red balloon. Instead, the Newcastle United players have to take a long hard look at themselves and realise teams aren’t just going to roll over for us. They’re going to fight and scrap for every ball. I sometimes wonder if our midfield want to do the same.

Forest are a decent side, but there’s no doubt that we should at least have managed a point here. Coming away with nothing just adds salt in the wound – especially with West Brom winning. We have to get back to winning ways midweek against Scunthorpe – otherwise there’ll be fingers pointed at Chris Hughton (perhaps rightfully so).

One thing this game did suggest, is that we’re still woefully lacking in investment – from the coaching side all the way down to the players. When our first choice central defenders aren’t available and we struggle this badly, it doesn’t bode well.