Welcome one and all to this ‘Game On’ article which will take us through the highs and lows as we travel to local rivals 5under1and for today’s Premier league game (4pm kick-off), having lost the last four meetings with the Mackems – the latest of which came just before Christmas when Adam Johnson struck a last-gasp winner at the Gallowgate End to break our hearts again.
But John Carver is determined to change United’s fortunes today and was speaking ahead of today’s clash.
“Growing up as a Newcastle fan it’s the first fixture you look for on the list,” he said.
“As a manager it’s a proud moment. We all know it’s one of the biggest games in the North-East and so it’s something I’m more than looking forward to.
“Our record isn’t very good and so I’m looking to break that. I think we have more than enough in the dressing room to do so. It’s a big occasion and we don’t want to make it five losses in a row.”
Carver also rejected suggestions that his overseas stars will not understand the importance of the fixture against their neighbours from Wearside.
“There’s a lot of people out there that say our foreign players won’t understand what the derby means,.
“But the majority of players in our dressing room have played in at least one and we drum into all of them how important this fixture is.
“Hopefully over the last four games they’ll have felt a bit of hurt because I certainly have, and sometimes that’s what you need to spur you on.
“It’s a cup final for us and that’s how we’ll treat it. Any team of mine that goes up against Sunderland will not be faulted for lack of effort, determination or not knowing what it means to the Club and the fans. I’ll be driving those guys forward.”
Sunderland appointed **** Advocaat as their head coach last month following the departure of Gus Poyet from the Stadium of Light hot seat.
And while he and Carver may have seemed an unlikely pairing to be coming head-to-head at the start of the season, the latter believes he may hold the advantage.
“At least I know what this game means, whereas it’s ****’s first derby,” said Carver.
“He’s in a difficult situation because he’s only had a couple of weeks to get to know his players. I’m sure he’ll get them prepared, he’ll have been able to get a couple of things across and he’s got a boost in the return of Cattermole.
“Sunderland have outworked us in previous games and that’s not a good stat to have – I don’t like that.
“If we can cover anywhere near as much ground with the same intensity as we did against Arsenal then we have a great chance at winning.
“I think we have everything to play for. We have a lot to prove. It’s not good enough to lose the last four derby games and I’ll be banging that drum in the dressing room without a doubt.”
So with the talking out of the way it’s time to show what we have and make sure we don’t give them anymore bragging rights.
Howay the Lads
5under1and Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O’Shea (c), Vergini, Cattermole, Gomez, Larsson, Fletcher, Wickham, Defoe.
Subs Bridcutt, Johnson, Reveillere, Graham, Coates, Buckley, Mannone.
Newcastle United Krul, R.Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Sissoko (c), Gutierrez, Gouffran, Ameobi, Cabella, Perez.
Subs Elliot, Anita, Abeid, Kemen, Obertan, Riviere, Armstrong.
stuck this up a bit early folks as I have to go out for a while but should be back for 3ish to stick the teams up,
Big Dave(Quote)
Well done Dave,the last four Derby’s have spoiled my week Ime hoping for a better show let’s hope so it couldn’t be worse or could it??
icedog(Quote)
Wouldnt it be great for the atmosphere if Carver handed Colback the captains armband today
Axel(Quote)
Would much prefer Colback in m/f
icedog(Quote)
I see the scum fans have shown their class again with a banner showing Colback being hanged by the neck,sick people
icedog(Quote)
However it goes, I’m sure it’ll be more interesting than the one I’ve watching now (Burnley v Spurs, that is).
brisvegas(Quote)
Time to open a new bottle of chivas and squeeze into the blue star top. Howay the lads.
brisvegas(Quote)
Your strict, methodical approach is commendable, Bris 🙂
Whumpie(Quote)
All season for some reason I’ve had this down for a Toon win. Might alleviate some of the apathy which seems to get deeper by the day.
georgio(Quote)
Where have you been hiding Whumpie? Avoiding the bad news and apathy have you?
georgio(Quote)
bad news and apathy? The only news I’ve seen is something about a profit, And the apathy? well, that’s a state of mind, and you are responsible for that.
brisvegas(Quote)
So Anita dropped for Jonas 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Goofy needs to do summit he’s been carried every game ffs,scum going with three in attack??
icedog(Quote)
No Abeid? Gouffran still in there? No brownie points from me JC. And you’d better play Colback in midfield!
georgio(Quote)
Gouffran and his must play clause lol. That was the best team except Abeid insyead of him, but hopes he’ll be useful at least.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Thanks Dave, nice one. Starting to feel a bit sick now like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Can’t see fletch, Wickham and Defoe not scoring today 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t worry Kim it’s our day!
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, I hope so mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Any links yet?
georgio(Quote)
JanMaat is looking like he had a problem in the warm up he’s walking a bit gingerly off the field FFS
Axel(Quote)
Axel I hope not that would be the last thing we need
Big Dave(Quote)
I am watching on a Dutch channel and It does not look good with him
Axel(Quote)
Well he is starting so it can’t be that bad thank god
Axel(Quote)
Here we go then HWTL, COME ON, a win please lads.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sorry but why the **** is Gouffran in the team let alone in midfield!!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
Mike dean needs to have a top game today as well, no dodgy decisions please
kimtoon(Quote)
Georgio sorry mate im on sky
Big Dave(Quote)
Perez isolated already 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
link Georgio
http://cricfree.tv/watch/live/sunderland-vs-newcastle-united-live-streaming
kimtoon(Quote)
All over us at the mo
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t suppose there’s any chance of us having the ball for a second or two?
Goiffran still on the pitch?
Stuart79(Quote)
Wee **** has them well up for this 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
http://live2sport.com/sunderland-vs-newcastle-united-apr-05-2015-live-stream-score-prediction/
kimtoon(Quote)
we not at the races so far
kimtoon(Quote)
I hate this grey strip it’s minging, don’t see why we couldn’t play in black and white today
kimtoon(Quote)
Raylor’s up for it anyway 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Why did they lift Johnsons suspension? that case is still pending apparently.
kimtoon(Quote)
Dare I say we have weathered the early storm ❓
kimtoon(Quote)
we are pretty poor but I wouldn’t be surprised to see us nick a goal after them having all the chances
Big Dave(Quote)
golf balls being threw at Colback, fuk I would love to see him bag a goal that would sicken them 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave, what a load of idiots, if one of them hits his head it could be serious
kimtoon(Quote)
They’ve had 6 corners to our zero 😳
kimtoon(Quote)
Well can’t say they didn’t deserve it
kimtoon(Quote)
👿 😈 😈 FFS
Big Dave(Quote)
Said Defoe was a good signing for em
kimtoon(Quote)
That was a good goal
Big Dave(Quote)
Not good enough, simply not good enough JC, get at em half time.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good goal by Sunderland. We haven’t really played that great in the first half. We have invited pressure on the defence and been punished
Terry(Quote)
Dave, was a beauty mate tbf
kimtoon(Quote)
Will we ever beat them again? I honestly can’t see it under this owner.
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s the worst display from us I can remember. And nobody to come on and improve us. Dismal.
georgio(Quote)
Nevermind we are in profit 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim @ 53 😆 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Kim – we’d have a better chance if we could get some support up to Perez!!.
I have no idea what instruction JC sends them out with in the 1st half, but I have yet to see them play to any kind of game plan since he took charge. My only hope is that we have played better in 2nd halves under JC – but he’s really going to have to rattle them coz we’ve been very poor so far IMO
Sharpy17(Quote)
We have to do an Arsenal second half here – if we have a go and they get a second on the break, so be it, but we have to up work rate and get at them early on. HWTL
GTE(Quote)
we really need to up our game
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy I said that earlier mate, totally isolated. Don’t mind losing if we really got at them like. First half was awful no other words for it, it was a wonder strike but they still deserve the lead.
kimtoon(Quote)
We look **** in attack. it really pains me watching this
Terry(Quote)
We look like the relegation threatened team 😳
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim it looks like are players don’t want the ball and keep giving it back.
Terry(Quote)
Watching the sunday supplement today and one of the journos was saying JC has been asked to stay on next season but not necessarily as coach.
kimtoon(Quote)
Rivi on, god help us, why not Arma 😕
kimtoon(Quote)
Dean letting them get away with a lot of pushing
kimtoon(Quote)
we’re 2nd best in every department 😈
Big Dave(Quote)
Jesus yellow cards coming out quick now
kimtoon(Quote)
Jonas is working his socks off for someone who’s had little game time
kimtoon(Quote)
Raylor hurt 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
Perez is getting rattled with his constant offsides
kimtoon(Quote)
We could do with Aarons and Cisse today
kimtoon(Quote)
Get Abied on
Terry(Quote)
Stupid free kick to give away
kimtoon(Quote)
Arma coming on
Big Dave(Quote)
look who’s coming on
kimtoon(Quote)
Are we safe from relegation?
Stuart79(Quote)