The Wear-Tyne Derby Day is just around the corner, and this season’s fixture is one of the most hotly anticipated derby games in recent memory. With both sides sitting in the bottom three, there is a great deal riding on the outcome of this game either side of the coin. It is either the most nerve-racking or enthralling fixture of the season for Newcastle United fans, but having succumbed to their neighbours on the last five occasions, the team must be looking to put things right and set the record straight with a well-overdue victory over the Black Cats.
United’s last victory over Sunderland was at the Stadium of Light, back in August 2011, when a famous free-kick from a certain Ryan Taylor helped United secure a 1-0 win over their fierce rivals. Since then, however, it has been rather dismal viewing for Newcastle fans, as it is perceived that the opposition simply reserve their best performances for just the two fixtures in which they meet Newcastle per year. Over the course of the past two seasons, Sunderland have won every encounter, yet, if it was the other way around, and United had secured all three points on both occasions, it would have been enough to relegate Sunderland. This a frustrating fact that has beleaguered Newcastle supporters praying for a demolition not dissimilar to the one enjoyed against Norwich last weekend.
The most important factor, going into such an important fixture, is that Newcastle are buoyant, and so is the city, following their first victory of the season, leaving Sunderland the only club yet to register a win during this campaign. The manner of victory was nothing short of spectacular for Steve McClaren’s inspired Newcastle side, hitting Norwich for six and playing some quality football, so much so that every United attack looked like a genuine goal-scoring opportunity. If the team can replicate their attacking performance against a somewhat weaker Sunderland side on Sunday, there is no doubting that Newcastle will have given themselves a fighting chance of ending the Derby Day curse.
Playing exciting, fast-paced football is key to United’s winning prospects because, as seen on plenty of occasions already this season, Sunderland will not be able to deal with it, conceding goals aplenty. With Sam Allardyce now at the helm, United can expect an abrasive, tough-tackling Sunderland outfit to be feisty from the first minute, thriving on aerial duels, long ball tactics and set pieces. This is precisely why it is extremely important for Newcastle to get the ball on the floor and play it around like they showed they can last weekend. It is the perfect time for all four front players to be on song for Newcastle, with each performance of Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrović, Ayoze Pérez and Moussa Sissoko quite sensational against Norwich. Four-goal man, Wijnaldum, will go into his first Derby Day with his confidence sky-high; likewise will Sissoko, who registered three assists in one match, the first time that feat has been achieved since Andy Cole in March 1994.
If the awesome foursome is full of confidence and in tune with one other, so another high-scoring affair could be on the cards. However, it is easy to become complacent and get carried away when the next opponent is sitting in 20th place, winless and United have just scored six in one match. Past experiences show us that form on Derby Day goes out the window and it is all down to the passion of the 22 players on the pitch for 90 minutes. If Sunderland are up for the game, Newcastle will have a tough task on their hands. With the notorious ‘five-in-a-row’ in the back of the players’ minds, it will take some serious physical and mental mettle to overcome the arch rivals at high noon on Sunday.
One factor that could play to Newcastle’s advantage is an odd one: Sunderland’s summer signings. Upon reflection, it is obvious to see that many of them have hardly been roaring successes. However, the fact that Sunderland’s starting line-up is likely to include the likes of Yann M’Vila, Ola Toivonen, Jeremain Lens, Younès Kaboul and DeAndre Yedlin, means that there are at least five players yet to experience their first Wear-Tyne Derby. Something which has been a feature for Sunderland over the last few fixtures against Newcastle has been a core contingent of, often British, players who have played in derbies before. Adam Johnson, Phil Bardsley, Lee Cattermole, Connor Wickham and Jack Colback all had experience playing in numerous matches against Newcastle, therefore, they had the winning feeling and helped continue that trend. This season, if Allardyce plays a similar team to the one put out against West Bromwich Albion, not only should Newcastle have more quality, but should also exceed the number of Sunderland players who have Derby Day experience, who will want to avenge the past defeats.
Now, the same argument could be applied to Newcastle’s summer signings and probable starting line-up. However, with Wijnaldum in hot form and Mitrović a Newcastle fan as a youngster, the passion and desire to win shouldn’t be wavering too much – especially in those two. Compare that to the two pay-day mercenary loanees in Sunderland’s ranks who have a track record of either disciplinary issues or failing to settle at clubs, and Newcastle should have the upper edge mentally and physically going into the game.
Following last week’s victory, Aleksandar Mitrović spoke to Sky Sports about the upcoming game, “From Tuesday we will be ready for Sunderland, it’s a big game and I hope we play like this”, referring to United’s emphatic 6-2 win versus the Canaries. (The full story can be accessed here: http://www.skysports.com/football/newcastle-vs-norwich/341271)
As Newcastle fans know, Derby Day is never a foregone conclusion, and, after five straight defeats, optimism isn’t very high, but the city has been buoyed by last week’s victory. Captain, Fabricio Coloccini, stated in the Official Matchday Programme, “Our season starts now. We need to start to take points. We need to not talk so much and instead do things right on the pitch. Actions speak louder than words.” That certainly acted as a rallying cry before the Norwich match and a similar reaction on Sunday will hopefully yield a well-deserved Derby Day win. They’re due one.
Howay the Lads!
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