Derby Atmosphere At Fever Pitch
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
There are two fevers raging across Tyne and Wear this weekend - Super Flu and Derby Fever as Newcastle take on Sunderland in the league for the first time since 2016,
It's a massive match for both teams with huge bragging rights up for grabs - a win for Sunderland would put them 4pts ahead and continue their long unbeaten run against the Mags, whilst a win for the Toon would see us go 2pts above the Mackems.
With only one away win this season in the league and leads thrown away in four of our last five away games the Lads need to bury that poor record at the Stadium of Light.
Big characters and 100% effort needed
I don't want to overly talk up Sunderland's performances this season but the fact is despite a huge influx of new players they have quickly gelled into a formidable unit.
They are a young side playing with bags of energy and confidence, marshalled by one of the signings of the season, the experienced and highly influential Granit Xhaka.
Sunderland, and their baying crowd, will be smelling blood and one thing is for certain - they will go into the game massively confident and expecting to put us to the sword.
That means big characters, calm heads and 100% effort is needed from the Lads.
Eddie likes his teams to go at the opposition from the start but you can bet Sunderland will try to do exactly that to us. The first ten minutes of the game could be crucial.
If Sunderland score early it will be like the Alamo and the noise from the Mackems will be deafening - if we score early I could see us getting a quick second if they pile forward over enthusiastically for an equaliser.
There will be some big battles fought - as always midfield will be crucial and in Noah Sadiki Sunderland have a young in form player alongside Xhaka. Bruno, Tonali and whoever plays with them need to win this battle.
Woltemade will be up against their no nonsense CB Dan Ballard who is also a goal threat himself from dead balls. All elbows and whacks, Ballard needs to be tamed by Big Nick.
Across the pitch, in every position, we have to win the individual battles.
Uncontrolled joy and mad dancing in the streets... or utter despair
That will be the difference between a win and a defeat.
Late goals have given us Toon fans some big kicks in the teeth this season and our heads are a fuzz of mixed emotions. In truth, no performance or result now surprises us.
That's why the result against Sunderland carries such huge implications for the fans, Eddie and the squad. Win and we take a huge step forward, lose.... unbearable.
It's a massive game, the atmosphere will be electric and intimidating, both sets of fans will be screaming at every move and tackle, the pubs will be packed and roaring.
This is what us football fans live for. These are the history making games.
My usual fiver is going on a 3-1 win. Comeonnnnnnnnnnnn the Lads.
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Eddie
“We’re really disappointed that we haven’t got more for our supporters and for all the obvious reasons, but we’ve got to bounce back on Wednesday.”
Wrong answer
That's the stock managers apology and it grates.
It also reveals a despondent tone which is worrying.
Shearer:
“They did nothing. They were awful, honestly. And Eddie made some big calls in team-wise, and I thought Eddie got it wrong as well.
“The players who we picked didn’t perform for him. Elanga was awful. Gordon was awful. Woltemade was awful. And they offered nothing in forward positions.”
And that's being polite.
Elanga looks likes he's a Steve Bruce selection.
Gordon saying afterwards that "we'll put it right against Fulham"
Too late.
Sunderland were woeful and while they of course claim bragging rights for this one it was an inadequate victory, just a result.
Was Eddie's plan to be 0-0 at 70 minutes then to use the bench to get a result late on ? That fails to…
Must admit I thought one of Eddie Howes strengths was his protection of players from over scrutiny and he never threw anyone under a bus. Now I’m thinking its a massive weakness and he needs to call players out for woeful performances and drop players not performing. Anthony Gordon and elanga have been poor all season in pl Harvey barnes one of our best and is benched. They were both shocking yesterday offered nothing and Gordon after telling us all that it’s just a poor mentality creeping into the team follows up with a performance like that in a derby of all games needs calling out. Fully expected Howe to lose the plot in post match interview but think hes…
Wolt
If he is not a Centre Forward then what is he.
Some say the No 10 role. The free role.
You'd have to play 4/2/3/1.
Get a pen and paper. Try picking an NUFC team in that formation.
You'll struggle.
Take Miley out of the equation as he is still a young player. We have only one complete midfield player at the club who can play as one of the 2. Tonali. Perhaps Bruno, although I don't think you'd get the best out of him there.
Ramsey, Willock and Big Jo - defo not.
Would really like to know what the thinking was about signing him. Who identified him as a target.
Not sure if the Saudis would enjoy their team being humiliated. Its not a good look.