Newcastle and Sunderland have been battling for the bragging rights of the North East for decades.
Since the very first competitive meeting way back in 1888 the pair has met on 104 occasions with Newcastle edging the derby day victories.
There has been no Tyne/Wear Derbies this season due to contesting different leagues and that rivalry may not be ignited for a while yet.
Rafa Benitez` side are currently top of the Championship and on the brink of automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
Sunderland on the other hand are looking very likely to take Newcastle`s place in England`s second tier.
Now, before anyone bites my head off with what I am about to say` I would like to emphasise that as a massive Newcastle fan I am speaking purely on behalf of entertainment for the fans.
I really hope Sunderland stay up this Season.
Despite the fact that we haven’t beaten the Mackems since the 20th August 2011 thanks to a Ryan Taylor free kick, there is undoubtedly a strong pull for the return of these games.
In a Premier League season, not having these derbies twice a season makes no sense for any real football fan.
It`s like losing Arsenal vs Tottenham or Everton Vs Liverpool, the league would become that bit duller and its always the first dates that any Newcastle or Sunderland fan look out for.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t want revenge for the last six years of hurt and humiliation and having to listen to the Sunderland fans who have been gloating for years.
There was a ray of hope at the tail end of last season as Alexander Mitrovic rescued a point as we trailed 1-0 at St James Park.
Before Sunderland’s domination of this fixture we enjoyed our own spell of success remaining unbeaten from 2001-2008 winning six times and sharing the spoils three times.
There is an element of trouble when the two sides meet however that goes on with most clubs in Britain every week. A lot was made about the violence after the game in 2013 in which we lost 3-0 at St James Park.
I was at the home derby last season and never noticed any trouble flaring up as it was very well policed, if that is the case for future games then I see no problem with a return for the rivalry.
I believe that if both Sunderland and Middlesbrough remain in the top flight next season they will be joined by Newcastle under the steady stewardship of Rafa Benitez and those will be four mouth-watering fixtures to look out for come June.
Gaz – nice article mate, and I understand where you’re coming from, and a small part of me agrees. But a large part of me says **** um!!.
But that is largely down to the stick I got from the missus dad, and work colleagues when we went down.
I know someone wrote yesterday that it’s a shame that Sunderland & Boro could go down.
Personally, I won’t us to focus on being a stable PL side – not the best NE side. Aside from anything else, the title is meaningless coz we would be the best of a very bad bunch.
I would sooner our focus be on competing with team like WBA, Stoke, Everton and Saints for those 6-10 spots.
I know that may not be too ambitious, but where we are now – those teams are a good distance away in terms of improvement imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Georgio: Madrid was great as always, this was my 4th trip there. Do you know they have the most bars/pubs in a square mile of anywhere in the world? I am in my early 50s and still managed to stay out ’til 4 am a few times.
Now to the football. Saw the game against Las Palmas which ended 3-3.
2 penalties, 2 disallowed goals and a sending off. And in the spirit of Lee Ryder, The Sun and the Daily Hate Mail I will present the 5 things I learned:
1. The stadium looks like something from the 70’s on the inside. It is all concrete and incredibly steep terraces. The steepness makes for great sightlines and you can see the whold field from any seat.
2. They don’t sell beer, and not even pies. They had alcohol free beer and popcorn and that was about it. It is totally different to a Chicago Cubs game where vendors will sell you beer and hotdogs in your seat. I think Real Madrid are missing a trick here. I couldn’t even find a club shop inside.
3. I heard a lot of British and American accents so I think that a lot of seats are sold on the internet which is where I got mine. It sort of dampens down the atmosphere though as the crowd were quiet except for a designated cheering section. I mean, it was a 3-3 draw and fantastic game and yet was eerily quiet. I think they are spoiled with all the success they have had and expect 3 or 4 nil all of the time.
4. Christiano is as big of a ponce in real life as he is on TV. Isco scored and Ronaldo shrugs because he didn’t pass to him to score. You can see all of the gestures he does acting like a primadonna when you see it in person. There was even a mini-revolt on Friday when the players had a meeting saying they thought Ronaldo was getting even more selfish if that was even possible. He is a great player though.
5. There is nowt around the Santiago Bernabeu and everybody just goes to the game and leaves making the Metro a bit of a nightmare. There are a couple of “cafeterias”/restaurants directly across the street. I would recommend anybody that goes to stop in there for a beer and a burger to let the crowds go down. I was shocked that it was quite easy to get a seat.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy I wont miss the Derby’s that’s for sure. It’s like salt being rubbed into the wounds. Nothing against Boro wouldn’t mind if they stay up. 3 points away and a better goal difference could save them.
Stem(Quote)
As for Colback, he was terrible against Huddersfield, terrible!!
He was lucky not to see red and that would have changed the game to Huddersfield’s advantage.
He needs to go in the summer.
Stem(Quote)
Oh, and 6: it was easy to get a ticket on the internet. The face value of mine was 55 euros and it cost me 85, including the fees. It might sound a lot but you have to realise you are in the home of Di Stafano, Zidane and the 2 Ronnies.
There were touts/scalpers outside as well so you could even get a ticket on the day.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Funny thing about the derbys – I hate them and love them.
Bitter sweet moment I suppose if they get relegated.
Stuart79(Quote)
well there not going to stay up so good 👿 hope they do a leeds and we never see them for years. dirty horrible tramps
Gashley(Quote)
pleased you enjoyed your trip mate,had a couple of trips myself,i liked the Nou Camp and see Barca play but your right a differant set up to our PL and ccc,also its nice to get a break from home for you
icedog(Quote)
Eric/Ice – away trips take some beating. Sipping foreign beers in the sun and then off to a new stadium. Ajax is my personal favourite although it’s a long way out of town.
The scum are going down so I don’t care. Can’t see them coming back up quick either they’re in so much disarray. I’ve always hated the derbies.
georgio(Quote)
They flew banners over our stadium. They need to learn some humility.
shamrock(Quote)
quite right Sham, hate the derby and hate even more that in recent times the 6 points we gift them ensures they stayed up by the skin of their teeth the sods. How’s it going for them without our little gift this year
😆 lalas
Thanks for the thread Gaz by the way.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good article. I love the derbies. With Rafa in charge we can beat them and make them look as bad as they really are. Sounds like a great trip Eric mate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Thanks very much Sharpy I thought it might have provoked a bit of abuse however I do feel they don’t have enough in the tank to stay up but would love to be there twice next season home and away.
Gaz
Gaz Smith(Quote)
I totally agree mate under Rafa and with a bit of strengthening I think Ritchie and Shelvey can provide Gayle and Mitro the service to beat them next year.
Gaz Smith(Quote)
Gaz: I haven’t seen you write on here before. You are a good writer, you should do more. However, I think you are a bit optimistic if you think that the Mackem Scum and Boro will not go down.
I always thought 2 of the 3 promoted teams would be relegated along with the red and white trash, just wasn’t sure which ones.
I always said that we would win the Championship at a canter and I still think I will be right.
My prediction record is much better than Troysta’s (could it be worse, can you have a negative %?). I only failed on thinking that Rafa would keep us up and that was close.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I never even said that Ugly John would send us down – only that he was ugly, and his heritage was a combination of a walnut, some sort of black gypsy vinegar, and a wizened voodoo doll.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
not bothered about the Derby in the slightest.
haven’t missed it this year either.
need to concentrate on remaining in the EPL and preferably in the top half for a change.
When the unwashed come back up, we will be proper sorted enough to show them who is top dogs.
Howay the Lads
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
‘when’ ha ha ‘if’ more like 😆
LALAS
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Thanks gus,on the thread,I would love it if they went down where they belong I do think they will go further down they nearly went down to the third div a few years back with LM ,the only thing that would really upset me about them going down is the poor child that is suffering cancer who loves them and Defoe has been so close to him I would hate it for him as they are his heroes
Icedog(Quote)
I would be very interested in knowing people’s views on where we need strengthening if we go up? For me we would need a quality centre half, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger and a couple of good strikers.
Stuart79(Quote)
I would go along with you on that I would also like a better left back,Dummy is ok but imo not PL standard ,I think Rafa thought Dummy might not be up to ccc standard hence bring in Gamez which hasn’t quite worked out
Icedog(Quote)
Rafa has left Mitro out of team traveling to Reading,think his time at the club limited now imo
Icedog(Quote)
I think Mitro will be gone in the summer. Rafa clearly doesn’t rate him or trust him. He’s still young and clearly lacking in confidence but if Rafa wants him gone then fair enough.
Stuart79(Quote)
Got to go with the manager of his know how in the game,plus in this case I agree with him
Icedog(Quote)
Of course Rafa will bull Mitro up and won’t want to sell him (cough cough) to get a top price,he’s good at it
Icedog(Quote)
Gaz – not at all mate. Forgive me if im wrong, but I’ve not seen you on the blog before – certainly not as an article writer – so firstly welcome if that is the case.
I (and I think everyone on this blog) like articles like this. Articles that you have put thought & effort into writing as opposed to lifting something from a media article – as a lot of other blogs do.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hey Sharpy I used to write for NUFC Fans a while ago.
Love NUFC wish I could get to more games but difficult due to work and stay in Glasgow.
Will try and keep up the work on here though
Gaz Smith(Quote)
A bit premature this article, we should wind our necks in until promotion is guaranteed. We got a massively lucky break against Huddersfield, it could have been so different had we lost.
6 successive derby victories for the makkems agains the toon is also hard to swallow, and something which can’t be taken from them. I remember the day the makkems were relegated to the third division, a brilliant day.
I’m not sure if the current toon team would beat the current makkem team in all honesty. The toon are a long way off being a Premier League side, and the gulf between the Championship and EPL is massive.
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
Gaz, welcome to the blog mate.
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
Gaz – you’ll be a welcomed addition mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
DJ – I watched the game and don’t get your opinion we got a ‘massively lucky break’?. Huddersfield had the larger potion of possession but were restricted to shots from outside the box. They simply couldn’t break us down – that’s well organised & disciplined, not massively lucky.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, It was a tactical masterclass by Rafa and just shows that possession football isn’t the be all and end all some think. Leicester showed us that though last season to be fair. There have been games where we have totally dominated yet come away without even a point due to a well disciplined teams set up to keep us out. Some would say it’s parking the bus but done correctly it’s not, it can still be entertaining .
kimtoon(Quote)
But the one and onot time they got in behind us and got at our defense, they got a penalty.
Defending as a team with the ball in front of us we look ok but I still wiry about our back 4.
Have to agree with others that this team/ squad is no where near good enough to compete at EPL level.
Mitrovic will be 1st out the door.
Not even in the squad tonight.
Would like to see DG grab a brace tonight.
Howay the Lads
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Agree, do need additions to be PL ready.
kimtoon(Quote)
Reading have an impressive home record so far this season. Only lost twice and 12 wins.
It won’t be as easy as many seem to think.
I wonder what the game plan will be ?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I don’t think it will be like the huddersfield match so much but we do like to play on the counter.
HtL
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Will be delighted to see a premiership derby again. But not until they have experienced League One.
Premandup(Quote)
Stu – I would hope the club have already started giving this some consideration based on how things are going.
I think it depends on what on aim is. Obviously we want to finish as high as we possibly can, but I think this squad would need massive improvements if the aim were to finish in those 6-10 positions.
I think we could stay up with the back 5 we have – maybe upgrade Dummett. Definitely need to upgrade Colback as I think Hayden is just too young & inexperienced (I like him & think he’ll come good but should be depended on). Ritchie is in, but I think we need to improve on Gouffran/Atsu and Diame/Perez.
I don’t think Murphy or Mitrovic are PL standard. Gayle for me would be in the squad, but I would want to upgrade him.
So for me the priority would be holding midfield, a wide midfielder, attacking midfielder and CF.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Next season will take a massive effort to keep out of the bottom 6 of the EPL. Hope Rafa’s buying prowess is up to it.
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/03/07/reading-v-newcastle-united-a-balancing-act/
New thread
Andy The Magpie(Quote)