In what is now being referred to as “The Fewmin Derby” Saturday’s encounter has been given even more added spice as Sunderland supporters rage against their owner Louis Kyril Dreyfuss – the man whose money no doubt single handedly saved the club from the clutches of the official receiver.
The cause of their anger reverberates around what they perceive as a series of PR blunders that have handed Newcastle supporters a huge laugh at their expense.
From ticketing mishaps to claims that the Black Cats Bar will be decorated in black and white in honour of their cup opponents, the fewm has reached top draw level as they await the arrival of the toon convoy.
Indeed, it’s been quite a fortnight for the fewmin Mackem supporters with a change of manager, a mixed bag of results and a general off pitch meltdown on everything from tickets numbers to where the visiting supporters will be accommodated inside the stadium.
God knows what sort of state they will be come Saturday lunchtime in what is the first FA cup meeting of the two teams since 1956.
Meanwhile, back in the tranquil confines of Little Benton Eddie Howe and his squad are quietly getting on with their preparations for what is Newcastle’s biggest third round tie in recent seasons. The magpies have failed to get past the third round in their last three attempts; having stumbled against Sheffield Wednesday, Cambridge Utd and Arsenal respectively so Howe will be keen to get his first victory in the cup since arriving on Tyneside.
Speaking ahead of the game Howe said “I'm well aware of my record here... the two games we've had have been disappointing. I won't shy away from that, and we'll try make up for it in this game.
It's our opportunity to progress in a competition we want to do well in. We want the extra games so every part of us want to impress.”
“It's been a good week for us since the Liverpool game. We've trained well. We know the importance of the fixture and what it means to everybody. Hope we can give the best account of ourselves.”
When the draw was made, I gave the Geordies an opportunity to speak about the fixture, just to set the scene. The players know everything they need to know about the fixture. They know what it means.”
Howe continues to have injury concerns which impact on who he can name in his starting
eleven, with Kieran Trippier a serious doubt and Callum Wilson definitely out. Trippier will undergo a fitness test on Friday before a decision is made on his availability.
Wilson joins a list of absentees that include Joe Willock, Elliott Anderson, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, and Javier Manquillo that Howe is unable to call upon and with Sandro Tonali suspended his options are once again severely limited.
Jamaal Lascelles returned to action on Monday night as a late substitute and while Dan Burn was withdrawn before the final whistle, this looked more tactical than medical induced.
The Wearsiders too have injury problems of their own. Long-term absentees Niall Huggins (knee) and Corry Evans (knee) are both out, and Bradley Dack (hamstring) is also expected to remain sidelined. Also unavailable is Dennis Cirkin whose comeback has been put on the back burner after a set back in training.
A doubt also hangs over the availability of Patrick Roberts, after the winger limped out of the recent game against Rotherham with what appears to be a calf problem.
Speaking ahead of the game Sunderland’s head coach Michael Beale said:
"It's the first derby in more than seven years, which is far too long. It's the beauty of the FA Cup that's brought the game, and it's one that everybody in the nation will be watching.
"It's a great game to be involved in, for sure. It's a fixture that captivates everybody in the North-East, but more than that, I think everybody in the country.
"It's a huge fixture. We love our derbies, in general in English football.
"In this part of the world, it's great to have it [back] after more than seven years. We need to be at our very best.
"There's obviously a difference between the two teams at the moment, those seven years have been different for both clubs in terms of the ups and downs. As we arrive into the game, it's intriguing, with our young, ambitious team going up against a team that was in the Champions League this season."
The referee is Craig Pawson, and he will be assisted by flag wavers Marc Perry & Steven Meredith. The fourth official is Andrew Madley.
The VAR officials get a week off as VAR is not in operation in this round of the competition unless the necessary equipment is already installed.
KO is 12:45 and the game is live on ITV1.
The cause of their anger reverberates around what they perceive as a series of PR blunders that have handed Newcastle supporters a huge laugh at their expense.
From ticketing mishaps to claims that the Black Cats Bar will be decorated in black and white in honour of their cup opponents, the fewm has reached top draw level as they await the arrival of the toon convoy.
Indeed, it’s been quite a fortnight for the fewmin Mackem supporters with a change of manager, a mixed bag of results and a general off pitch meltdown on everything from tickets numbers to where the visiting supporters will be accommodated inside the stadium.
God knows what sort of state they will be come Saturday lunchtime in what is the first FA cup meeting of the two teams since 1956.
Meanwhile, back in the tranquil confines of Little Benton Eddie Howe and his squad are quietly getting on with their preparations for what is Newcastle’s biggest third round tie in recent seasons. The magpies have failed to get past the third round in their last three attempts; having stumbled against Sheffield Wednesday, Cambridge Utd and Arsenal respectively so Howe will be keen to get his first victory in the cup since arriving on Tyneside.
Speaking ahead of the game Howe said “I'm well aware of my record here... the two games we've had have been disappointing. I won't shy away from that, and we'll try make up for it in this game.
It's our opportunity to progress in a competition we want to do well in. We want the extra games so every part of us want to impress.”
“It's been a good week for us since the Liverpool game. We've trained well. We know the importance of the fixture and what it means to everybody. Hope we can give the best account of ourselves.”
When the draw was made, I gave the Geordies an opportunity to speak about the fixture, just to set the scene. The players know everything they need to know about the fixture. They know what it means.”
Howe continues to have injury concerns which impact on who he can name in his starting
eleven, with Kieran Trippier a serious doubt and Callum Wilson definitely out. Trippier will undergo a fitness test on Friday before a decision is made on his availability.
Wilson joins a list of absentees that include Joe Willock, Elliott Anderson, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, and Javier Manquillo that Howe is unable to call upon and with Sandro Tonali suspended his options are once again severely limited.
Jamaal Lascelles returned to action on Monday night as a late substitute and while Dan Burn was withdrawn before the final whistle, this looked more tactical than medical induced.
The Wearsiders too have injury problems of their own. Long-term absentees Niall Huggins (knee) and Corry Evans (knee) are both out, and Bradley Dack (hamstring) is also expected to remain sidelined. Also unavailable is Dennis Cirkin whose comeback has been put on the back burner after a set back in training.
A doubt also hangs over the availability of Patrick Roberts, after the winger limped out of the recent game against Rotherham with what appears to be a calf problem.
Speaking ahead of the game Sunderland’s head coach Michael Beale said:
"It's the first derby in more than seven years, which is far too long. It's the beauty of the FA Cup that's brought the game, and it's one that everybody in the nation will be watching.
"It's a great game to be involved in, for sure. It's a fixture that captivates everybody in the North-East, but more than that, I think everybody in the country.
"It's a huge fixture. We love our derbies, in general in English football.
"In this part of the world, it's great to have it [back] after more than seven years. We need to be at our very best.
"There's obviously a difference between the two teams at the moment, those seven years have been different for both clubs in terms of the ups and downs. As we arrive into the game, it's intriguing, with our young, ambitious team going up against a team that was in the Champions League this season."
The referee is Craig Pawson, and he will be assisted by flag wavers Marc Perry & Steven Meredith. The fourth official is Andrew Madley.
The VAR officials get a week off as VAR is not in operation in this round of the competition unless the necessary equipment is already installed.
KO is 12:45 and the game is live on ITV1.
RSS Feed
