Of course you could always argue that being at the game would be better, but with tickets for this one pretty much out of reach for a lot of fans it appears that won;t be the case aside for a lucky 2,500 or so travelling fans.
On the other hand there are plus points when it comes to avoiding a trip to Wearside in person. You won’t pick up any of that stench that emanates from the area and you won’t come face-to-face with the arsehole of humanity that reside in Sunderland. The y really are a “special” bunch!
Banter aside there is more than just a match to be played today.This one is too big to be called “just a game of football”. It matters to too many people in the local area, on both sides of the divide, for it to be called “just another game”.
Last time out we saw that both managers “get it” when it comes to the importance of this fixture. Both Alan Pardew and Martin O’Neill had words during the game and it was an altogether unsavoury incident. However it’s something typifies the passion and intensity this fixture brings with it.
Anyway I don’t need to write much more. Suffice to say that team news will be added below and I dare say that people will leave links to streams in the comments section below. For now though we’ll just have to wait and see how it all pans out.
Howay the lads!
Sunderland: Simon Mignolet, Craig Gardner, Danny Rose, John O’Shea, Carlos Cuellar, Jack Colback, Seb Larsson, Adam Johnson, James McClean, Stephane Sessegnon, Stephen Fletcher
Subs: Kieran Westwood, Phil Bardsley, Frazier Campbell, Matt Kilgallon, David Vaughan, David Meyler, Louis Saha
Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba
Subs: Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Gabriel Obertan, Papiss Cisse
The Kid ,right I just assumed a 3 match ban like.
KIMTOON(Quote)
So pleased the players kept their heads despite some awful refereeing decisions, Atkinson looked like a man on a mission and I agree with Groucho, the Larson challenge on Ameobi was every bit as bad as Tiotes and it was Fletchers ***** reaction that got him sent off.
Robert(Quote)
Thanks Robert. I should have said Shola. General opinion on twitter by non-NUFC fans thought red was harsh.
Groucho(Quote)
Collo- Was very good today, I didn’t feel comfortable with us holding on to the lead once he went off.
Willo- Had a good game.
Jonas- Looks slow and very poor going forward now, I thought he had an awful game.
Cabaye- Fantastic
Tiote- Stupidity, needs to learn from this what is and isn’t acceptable in the PL.
Ba- Poor game completed with own goal.
One way or another I couldn’t see us winning today. We are still languishing towards the bottom of the table though. Where we had luck last season we seem to have none this season, I wonder if a strong baggies side will get revenge for the game at the Hawthorns last season. They will be no pushovers.
DJG(Quote)
Just realised Lawro got the result spot on. 😯 Must be a first. 😛
DJG(Quote)
Ba poor? Really? 😯
I thought he ran his socks off and still created problems for their defence even though he had no support at all pretty much. Good performance from a lone striker for me. Mind you, as an ex-striker I would say that 😛
toonsy(Quote)
Seriously disappointed in Tiote. Said in my post pre kick off ‘keep ya heed Mr T.’ – I just felt it in my water that he was going to be in bother today like!.
It turned our game into backs against the wall football, and basically rendered our midfield and Ba ineffective. It did however show just how great a player Colo is – I thought he was solid today like, and also how far Santon has came on as a full back for us.
Disappointing that we couldn’t hold on to the win but a good result over the 90mins.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Maybe i’m just used to him setting such a high standard but I thought he was **** today, worked hard but 1) missed the corner that would have given us a 2-0 lead to defend. 2) Didn’t score the one-on-one chance, although the ball fell to the right and not left so I’ll let him off with that. 3) Scored the OG that was going miles wide, Carroll would be spinning in his grave at that defending. 4) Didn’t really create or do much else I thought.
DJG(Quote)
Anyone know what’s happened to Marveaux?
Stuart79(Quote)
Marveux?
Isn’t he that guy we signed on a free because he was crocked?
I think he’s crocked mate 😆
Moreno(Quote)
Colo was Mammoth today, definately one of the best centre halves in the league.
I think tiotes sending off will be a blessing, he has been awful this season hopefully Anita and perch get a chance.
Gutted not to take 3 points but we are well above sunderland.
£24 million for Fletcher and Adam Johnson and they did **** all.
Alex(Quote)
DJG – I think Ba was pretty isolated up there today like. Can’t really be blamed for the OG either as it just hit him at speed, dont think he knew much about it to be fair.
I think that actually makes him our leading scorer and Sunderlands 2nd leading scorer though 😆
I agree with your comments on Jonas though, I’ve been really disappointed with him so far this season like, and with Tiote for that matter. I know he’s been out alot of it but when he has came on his discipline has been terrible.
That said, we can take alot out of today I think, and it was good to see Cabaye so far forward for his goal – hasn’t done that enough for me this season but hopefully today will encourage him to do it more often.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cant help thinking Cattermole would have got a yellow and a proper talking to. Given that its a derby the ref did all he could to ignite the place and the card tally doesnt tell half the tale of the 50/50 decisions we lost out on.
Didnt think cheick was studs in either, and in real time was not that far off, though poorly judged if I am being charitable. In all honesty he would have got a second yellow later on, but by then we would have been 3 up.
Ba did the job required seeing as they could afford to put 2/3 men on him at all times, he should have taken his chance though. never mind we will spank them at ours.
Tsunki(Quote)
Disappointed in that result. Never a red card.. Was watching in a bar here in Cologne with a mackem and even he said never a red. In fct he thought the ref was well biased towards mackems too. He though they were lucky to get a point. Lol
Oh well. We didn’t lose even with 10 men vs 12 …
Cologne-toon(Quote)