A little something to get you in the mood...

Just a quick something to get you in the mood ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby today. That's if you actually need any extra help to get into the required frame of mind!

I remember we'd had to put up with listening to how many light years the Mackems were ahead of us. I remember them saying how they were going to steamroller our team of Championship plodders. I also remember being in the Gallowgate watching them all trying to sneak out of the ground sheepishly as Shola Ameobi made it 3-0 just before half-time.

Oh how I laughed. Revenge is sweet as they say.

No doubt a Mackem somewhere (not a live one though!) will mention the 9-1 they beat us by over 100 years ago, in the same season that we won the league in. At least this thumping could actually be recorded on video!

On a serious note, the Sunderland players must really be looking forward to this game. For the bulk of them it's the closest game to home they'll get given that they mainly live in Newcastle!

So just remember folks, no matter how bad you think your life may be, it could always be worse. You could be a Mackem. An entirely different breed who have taken an insult to heart and actually nicknamed themselves after it!

Howay (spelt the proper way...) the lads!