Newcastle v Sunderland.

[Ghostrider]

The big day is close and probably one of the most important for many years, given the fact that both teams are perilously close to dropping through that relegation trap door.

Yes, we know Sunderland have beaten us 6 times on the trot - so what. They can have their HISTORY and they can dine on it for as long as they please.
However, this game on Sunday is what counts for the NOW, or the future that will soon be known as the NOW and also soon be known as recent history; one which I hope that we have the bragging rights for.

Nobody knows what the outcome of the game will be - and we can all cite all kinds of things that apparently might give any of us a head start. Sunderland can cite a 6 game winning streak and a bigger fighting spirit, given how they've battled like hell lately under Allardyce - and we have basically went from one low to another - but guess what?

Even though that appears to be the case - Sunderland are still only 1 point above us and we have a game in hand. Plus it's us who have just gained a new manager and set up.
It guarantees us nothing in the main, but it does give us a massive lift in many instances, as well as a home advantage, regardless of it being a derby match.

This game is massive in the relegation stakes. It's not a win or else game, yet, but it is a game that can instill a massive, positive push on attitude for us, that can literally move us on quite quickly - not just team/squad/manager wise but in a massive feel good factor, fan wise, which can carry a positive charge.

Regardless of this being an intense derby match, it also carries a few other rivalries in the fact that Allardyce managed us for a while and also that he doesn't see eye to eye with Benitez.
It just makes the game even more tasty and feisty.

It'll be interesting to see what team Rafa puts out, seeing as we're at home and also up against our rivals. One thing for certain - he needs to put out the players that will die for 90 plus minutes and leave out those that potentially will bottle it.
This is a game for Shelvey and Colback to shine and for the misfiring players to add an end product to their work, as in Mitrovich and Sissoko, plus Wijnaldum.

I just hope he puts out a team that merits the occasion.
I believe he will, because this game above all else, requires it.

[Ghostrider]

Well well well; a game of two halves. I was so frustrated in the first half but I thought going in at half time at nil nil would give us the chance to get our act together.
I didn't expect Defoe to scupper that but it happened and we were 0-1 down.
Allardyce managed to get his team battling like demons against us, aided by the ref, Atkinson.

To be fair it was a shit first half for us and a bit of nerves maybe got to a few players because they all knew it was a potential 7 on the trot and at home the pressure was really on them to get a result.

The second half was a lot better especially when Rafa made the subs and altered the formation, as well as shifting players to cover alien positions, such as Sissoko at left back for the hardworking but potential red card victim, Jack Colback.

Anyway Wijnaldum gets down the right to the byline and pouts in a great cross to Mitrovic who scores with a great leaping header.
Final score 1-1 and probably about right - although both sides will complain they should have won it.

Allardyce has got Sunderland a fighting chance but equally I think Rafa has given us a fighting chance, because he's not afraid to identify change in a game and also quickly start seeing the chinks in the armour.

Anyone watching this game would realise that Janmaat was way off his game and also aware that Colback was getting schooled by Borini, even though Colback battled well. The fact was, Colback was a red card waiting to happen and so was Janmaat.
Rafa knew this and taking them both off gave us the point we deserved.
Had he left those two on we would be finishing the game with 10 or potentially 9 men or at the very best, 11 men but losing the game due to those two being unable to go into full battle mode.

Once Sissoko went to left back, he nullified Borini and also Anita coming on gave us a more balanced team.
However, taking off Townsend and putting on Cisse with Mitrovic, gave their defence something else to think about and allowed Mitrovic to move into their far post from Wijnaldum's cross, leaving their CB's floundering around Cisse.

It was a well deserved goal from Mitro because he was isolated in the first half but still fought against two big strong centre halves and caused them problems.

All in all it was a bit of a damp squib of a derby in certain respects but in reality it suited us much better because we've stopped the derby rot with that draw. We also saw a team that can fight and also certain players that are coming of age. Lascelles being one and Mitrovic being another, because make no mistake,, this player has heart and quality, plus this goal will have done his confidence the world of good.


A special mention to Rob Elliot whgo I thought was brilliant today and it's a shame he had to pick the ball out of the net.