JOHN Carver has hit out at “disrespectful” suggestions Newcastle United will face their first major test of the season when they take on Premier League leaders Manchester City after the international hiatus.

United went into the third international break of the season flying hard in third place and unbeaten in 11 – a terrific record which has been earned with sparkling performances.

At 250-1 they remain the longest odds of any of the top seven and some pundits have made much of the fact they are yet to beat a team in the top half of the table.

Carver has picked up on suggestions the game at the Etihad Stadium will decide whether or not United are genuine contenders and feels it is hot air.

The Newcastle number two wants United to be afforded respect for a run of wins which has seen them eclipse all expectations.

He said: “People are talking about these being our ‘real tests’ coming up but every game in the Premier League is a ‘real test.

“A lot of people are being disrespectful by saying we have not played anyone yet.

“For me that is disrespectful to our players, our staff and the other teams that we have faced as well.

“It gets my goat when people say we have been lucky or the decisions have gone for us.

“When you actually analyse our results, we have picked up wins from games where we did not pick up wins or points from last year. We went to Wolves and won – Newcastle United never seem to get anything there.

“We played QPR just after they had made new signings and you see from Chelsea and Manchester City going there how difficult they are to play at home.

“I don’t care if people think this is our big test or not, we can go to Manchester City and enjoy ourselves. We have earned the right to go there unbeaten and that means we can go there and play our own game.”

For all that Carver (pictured far right) is battling for respect to be shown to United’s achievements, he is resisting the temptation to start talking about ramping up expectations.

Complacency remains the enemy at St James’ Park, and he says no-one will be allowed to lower their levels over the coming weeks – especially with the run of games they have coming up.

Carver added: “So far we have done OK. We are not getting carried away and we are not going over the top.

“We just have to keep working at the same rate we have been so far this season.

“If we allow ourselves to relax or we take our foot off the pedal we will be punished.

“The secret has been hard work – we have to keep that going.” United are back in training today before a long weekend of rest ahead of the City clash.

That will be essential for a club with a long injury list headed by senior men like Cheick Tioté, Yohan Cabaye and Leon Best.

Carver said: “We have just replicated what we have done for the last two international breaks, when we have given the players long periods of rest and recuperation.”