John Carver has described his role at Newcastle United as "the hardest job in football" but has maintained that it is also his dream to manage the Magpies.

The 50-year-old took over the reins at his hometown club after the departure of Alan Pardew, who made his way to Crystal Palace in January.

However, despite taking up the 'dream role', Carver has seen his side slip to 13th in the Premier League table, picking up just two wins in 2015 and they are now nine points above the relegation zone.

"I think it is the hardest job in football. Definitely. It is. I don't manufacture anything – I don't do that. Straight and honest, that's me," Carver said, according to Goal.com.

"It's the dream job, right. This is the dream job, but the hardest thing is taking the criticism off your own people. That's the bit I find really, really difficult. And some of it is deserved and some of it is not. Sometimes you're dealt the hand and you've got to get on with it, and this is the hand I've been dealt.

"When I took it on, if I hadn't accepted or if I didn't want it, then I would have been kicking myself. I wasn't going to not accept it, not have a go at it, all right. I've said this to you, I genuinely believe that if I've got the right tools I can do the job."

The Magpies take on Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park tomorrow afternoon.