Excitement in recent years has been something that has been missing from this fixture for fans of a black and white persuasion as the bragging rights have quite comprehensively remained on Wearside.
But still there is that excitement there. The feeling that few other games bring about throughout the season. While some fans at other clubs may be quick to point out that this isn’t a real derby because we don’t share the same city or that their own derby is better, the fat remains that they are talking bollocks. For fans of Newcastle and Sunderland this is OUR derby so sod what everyone else has to say about it.
The Merseyside derby is classed as ‘the friendly derby’ and there have been moves from both clubs and the local Police to make our fixture more friendly. There will be no Police escorts and fans are free to make their own way to the ground and I’d urge everyone involved to show passion the passion that is in their hearts on the day but to also use their heads to make sure that this passion is displayed the right way.
Back to the match and United will of course be buoyed by the 6-2 victory recorded over Norwich last week while Sunderland will hope to benefit from the inevitable fresh impetus injected by a new manager as Sam Allardyce takes charge of his first home game in charge of the Black Cats. We’ll just have to wait and see how it turns out on the day in a fixture which, despite winning streaks for either side, has been remarkably evenly split over the history of the fixture.
Sunderland:
Jeremain Lens and Sebastian Coates are available once more after completing suspensions while Ola Toivonen has recovered from a groin strain and is fit again for selection. However Fabio Borini is struggling with an ankle injury and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Newcastle:
Steven Taylor and Tim Krul are long term absentees which we know about, but it’s the others on the injury table where an update on their progress may be deemed useful. Karl Darlow and and Gabriel Obertan are still around four weeks away from a return while Emmanuel Riviere is closer but is still a fortnight away. Rolando Aarons and Kevin Mbabu are fit again and are in contention to feature.
Previously…
The headline about recent history is that Sunderland have won the last five derbies. Before that though there was a run of six games without a win for the Black Cats and going back a bit further there was an 11 game streak where Sunderland again failed to record a win.It doesn’t matter though as essentially it is who turns up on the day. Recently it’s been Sunderland but there have been periods where it’s been Newcastle and while runs of results like that are never nice for the side on the other end the fact remains that historically the amount of victories is split pretty evenly as you’ll see below.
There have been 152 games between the two sides (140 in the league). Newcastle have won 53, Sunderland have won 50 with a further 49 draws demonstrating just how similar results have been historically.
Stats and facts…
Sunderland have won the last five derbies. Neither side have ever won six straight Wear-Tyne/Tyne-Wear derbies.
Newcastle have allowed their opponents to have 55 shots at goal so far this term – more than any other side in the division.
Sam Allardyce is the fourth consecutive Sunderland boss to face Newcastle in his second game in charge. Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and **** Advocaat all lost their opening match before winning in the derby. Allardyce lost his first game so lets hope history doesn’t repeat itself!
Newcastle approach this game on the back of a victory. The last time that happened was in April 2006.
In their respective Premier League management careers, Sam Allardyce has managed to pick up an average of 1.28 points per game while Steve McClaren has picked up an average of 1.25 pints per game.
Final thought…
What can you say about derby day that either hasn’t already been said or doesn’t sound as though I’m writing this while using a book of cliches?
You can’t really. It’s literally all about the passion and local bragging rights as, being honest, neither side has really been able to do anything else apart from tread water for a good number of years now and the days where Sunderland and Newcastle had a period of being dominant, title-winning sides have long since gone.
I’m cool about it all at the minute but you can put your money on it that come kick-off time I’ll be jumping up and down on the sofa. The lad is staying at Granny and Grandpa’s house on the Sunday night and I’ve already told the wife that what we do on the evening depends on the result during the day. But I think she already knows that.
It is simply who wants it more, who can take their chances, and who can keep a cool head. Add those in with a bit of luck and really it could go either way.
Howay the lads!
Date: Sunday, 25th October, 2015
Time: 12:00pm
Venue: Stadium of Light
Cheers Toonsy. I hate the Derby tbh, stomach churning stuff unless we’re running away with it. I’m not fooled by last weeks result, our defence is simply awful at times and Norwich could and should of had a couple more goals.
Main concerns for the game
1. Sissoko needs to turn up AGAIN
2. Mitro needs to be aware that he will be a target for WUM’s
3. Ref must be strong and not let the likes of catts go over the top with fouls on Gini, cause I can see him trying to take him out early doors.
4. We must and I hope have worked on dealing with crosses, cause I see loads coming in on the day.
5. Janmaat needs to perhaps concentrate on his defensive duties a bit more this week, especially with him being a bit rusty after injury, he went missing at the back too much last week.
kimtoon(Quote)
Here is our starting lineup from the last SOL game:
Krul
Raylor Janmaat Willo Colback
Goufran Jonas Sissoko
Cabella Perez Ameobi
By my reckoning that is only 2 players in their usual positions that will start tomorrow – Perez and Sissoko. Janmaat was played as an emergency CB and Colback as LB.
I don’t know how it will pan out, but on paper we stand a better chance because last year that was a cobbled together team if ever I saw one.
No wonder Steve said the recent history doesn’t stand for much.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
AAT (And Another Thing)
Just an abbreviation for you Eric 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I see a victory for the toon like. Mark my words or Mock me woods. 😥
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troysta: yes, I am like Columbo. I hope you are right about us winning. You cannot predict anything based on the team for the last meeting as I was pointing out above. You still sticking with England winning the Euros?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Its going to be a question of who’s defence is worst.
In truth, neither are any good, so then it comes down to which team is better at building an attack and scoring the goals to win.
No doubt in my mind we have the better players here, so clearly imo we have to look to be positive and take it to them, from the kick off.
If we can grab a couple before half time again, they will crumble. But if we try to contain and keep it tight in defence, inviting them forwards, we will lose yet again.
This is a great opportunity to bury the 5 previous losses and at the same time climb out of the bottom 3. A real boost for the whole club.
defeat really is unthinkable
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I bet Steve names the exact same team tomorrow AND the exact same subs. When was the last time that happened? Probably in the ’70’s when there was only 1 sub allowed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Toon win by at least a couple of goals 😉
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
ERIC SYKES 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<also thinks we got a good shot at the euros next summer prob got the best team we have had for a long while and the donkeys in defence are also gone 😉
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
0-0 or 1-1. Will be a completely boring and edgy game.
Stuart79(Quote)
In a way I hope you’re right Stuart.
Eric – I got that update too. I’ve never been anywhere near NUFC officially so the only way to get my real name and address is – hacking.
georgio(Quote)
4-3 Sunderland 😥
Munich Mag(Quote)
I worry that Tiote/Colback will give away something on the edge of our box that they will score from. We simply can’t defend properly at the moment. Likewise if we can put it out for a throw, or boot it away, then do so. Only put it out for a corner as a last resort. We can’t defend them and set pieces are meat and drink for Allardyce. I worry that Tiote or A N Other will do something stupid. Let Cattermole get a yellow card early doors but we need to be disciplined, as they will use all sorts of dirty tricks. I don’t know who the ref is but I hope it is a competent one.
DJG(Quote)
Ewok Park is a disgrace, half empty for the derby with Burnley. 😮
DJG(Quote)
DJG: reverse the tactics and have Perez torment Clattermole with his trickery and pace. I am sure that he wouldn’t be able to deal with it and would have a few mad lunges.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
3-2 to the toon!
gashley(Quote)
Opinions are like arseholes – everybody has one. But has it gone too far now. We have blanket coverage from Sky and BBC and now BT. Plus the radio and the papers have expanded their staff and ex-players as more attention has shifted to football. It results in idiots like Merson and Savage putting their oars in about NUFC and The Star calling John Carver about tomorrow’s match. It seems anybody that had a minor career now gets their say and their pay. It produces so much white noise.
Look at The Chronicle. I can count 6 “reporters” covering NUFC and mostly saying the same thing. Then there are the columnists – Rob Lee, McDonald, Quinn, Smrnik, Hutchison, Moncur (conflict of interest?) and probably others I forgot.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ameobi scores on his debut! Get in son.
Shamrock(Quote)
http://www.espnfcasia.com/newcastle-united/story/2679498/aleksandar-mitrovic-wants-to-earn-newcastle-no9-like-shearer
“Speaking about Shearer’s Newcastle record of 206 goals in 450 appearances, Mitrovic said: “I have 204 goals to go! I have time! Shearer came here when he was 26 until 36. Why not?”
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
3-1 the toon for me
Sharpy17(Quote)
West Ham are getting on my tits
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART,why’s that mate???
icedog(Quote)
What the hell is wrong with Chelsea this season 😕
kimtoon(Quote)
Mourinho has lost the plot. That’s what’s happened. He needs to start showing a bit of humility.
Shamrock(Quote)
I like West Ham actually. Proper working class people whenever I’ve met them.
Plus, loads of punk rock bands originate from there.
I remember when Bilic was considered as a possible for the toon job but then we thought, Ashley won’t want a strong personality. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Eric
It would be interesting to have a professionals pundits blog. I’m surprised it’s not done by a company who pays them and make money from advertising.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Because they keep winning and are showing us what can be achieved with effort and ambitious choices.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART got you,so bloody true it hurts
icedog(Quote)
Troy @26: they sort of do an unpaid blog on Twitter. There are probably not many more pundits but with so many channels showing football now it seems that way. Plus 20 years ago you would read one morning paper and The Chronicle. Now Newsnow brings you everything ever said about anybody connected to NUFC at the touch of a button. FFS Pardew and Owen are always on there 🙂 Then there is Ed who has 300 articles a day 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hopefully not tempting fate but the results went our way today. Relegation is between the bottom 5 and Stoke and Watford so we better get some points AND at least a couple of reinforcements in January. They said 3 transfer windows so we better not stick in January.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No predictions from me. I just live on hope and a prayer. We really need a win (this one and the next) to get back within cooee of the pack. It’s a tight league atm. There’s only 4 points from 6th-15th.
And if we lose this one I’m moving house. I’ve got an smb next door to me. He’s been there for 2 years. The ****** keeps grinning at me (well, I think it’s meant to be a grin – more like a sneer really) and making stupid comments every time I wear my Newcastle top. It wouldn’t be so bad if he was a decent fella, but he isn’t. He’s an arch ********, a fat bald ******** who doesn’t even like football.
Brisvegas(Quote)
BrisV: one more reason for us to win. I am off to the Pub to meet Chicago Toon fans at about 6.30am (7am KO). Not sure if there will be any Mackems. The Manc Derby is later at 10 and I might stay for a bit of that DEPENDING ON MY MOOD. I am not sure if there will any Mancs as I think they have different bars. I hope not as I don’t want to be in the middle of that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We will win today. Mark or mock my words. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
3 predictions from me…
1) a point today – score draw.
2) jose mourinho’s head is jammed so far up his own **** there can be only one outcome – death by suffocation.
3) pardew has gone on one of his world famous losing runs – obiously everyone’s fault but his.
roy cropper(Quote)
Nice one Roy 🙄 😛
But point 1 is wrong 😉
It’s derby day and we’re gonna win
HOWAY THE LADS
TOON TOON
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Come on guys Colo did nothing wrong there, poor. Refereeing
ash1001(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<<< did not think it was a pen and shoulder to shoulder competeing for the space is not a foul also,the ref needs sacking if he dont know the rules of the game,wonder how much he got payed cause he looked like he had been bought off to me,how many fouls that clattermore make and still did not book him wonder why
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)