Newcastle United coach John Carver has made it vehemently clear that Fabricio Coloccini's open letter to the fans was no gimmick.

Magpies supporters reacted strongly on social media suggesting that the Argentine defender's name had been used on the message to try appease the faithful of the current situation at St James' Park.

Newcastle have lost their past eight Premier League matches to sit just two points above the relegation zone which prompted action to be taken by the captain who penned a heartfelt letter to the fans to tell them that the playing group do indeed really care.

And Coloccini's message has been backed by Carver who took with him one of the three drafts made by the Spanish-speaking skipper to his pre-match press conference for the meeting with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Showing the letter to the press, Carver said: "I've heard one or two people say it was a PR stunt by the football club.

"I have brought the letter with me, in his handwriting, in Spanish - that' s the letter there, signed by Colo at the bottom.

"This was the third draft he put together because of his grammar. That is the genuine letter, from his heart. The pleasing thing from my point of view, because people will question if we are up for the fight, the fact he wrote that letter proves to me he is up for the fight.

"At least he's had the courage to actually say something from his heart so when he does actually say something it proves that he means it.

"It also proves that when they had their meeting on Monday - I wasn't involved in it and neither were any of the other coaching staff - they dealt with the situation and they are going to deal with this situation, along with my support, to get themselves out of this position. That shows. I know we can say talk is cheap, but that shows me that the players are up and ready for this fight.

"I can sit here and talk but actions speak louder than words. At least they (the players) have been productive. They're trying to address it and do something about it.

"It must hurt them because it hurts me when people say we're not trying. That's got to hurt your pride because it hurts me that's for sure. People say it hurts me more but it shouldn't. It should hurt every individual in there and, trust me, it's hurting. The only way to get rid of the hurt is by doing something about it."