John Carver admits he is trying to gain a response from his Newcastle United players.

The Magpies boss has made some provoking remarks in recent times, highlighted by his negativity towards defender Mike Williamson, who he accused of being sent off on purpose against Leicester City last week.

Carver has seen Newcastle free-fall in the past few months, having lost eight Premier League matches in a row, to be sitting just two points clear of the bottom three.

Ahead of Saturday's crunch clash with West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park, Carver has spoken of his comments of late, indicating that it is a ploy to bring out the best in his struggling players.

"I'm trying to get something. I talk about having a strategy, find a way of winning a football match," he said.

"I've got to try and get something out of them. When somebody provokes me, then it makes me even more determined.

"That's me as a person. I'm trying to do that to some of the players to get a reaction. There's nothing personal in any of it.

"I sat with Mike (Williamson). We had good discussion. It was excellent, two-way. The week before it was Jonas (Gutierrez), same thing.

"You sometimes have to do things to stir the hornets' nest."