Eddie Howe knows all about the importance of Newcastle United’s trip to Sunderland on Sunday.
The Tyne-Wear derby is back on the Premier League agenda for the first time in nine years as Howe takes his Newcastle United side to the Stadium of Light.
Though the Magpies would have been expected to beat the Black Cats before a ball was kicked this season, opinion has turned of late.
It doesn’t look like we’re wearing black and white on Sunday – how do you feel about that?⚫⚪
At least it's not the green kit, think of it like that!
Indeed, Sunderland have exceeded expectations this season, while Newcastle just do not convince – particularly away from home.
Still, there are reasons to be optimistic. Newcastle generally show up for the big games and the size of the fixture has not been lost on Howe.
Eddie Howe sends brilliant message before Sunderland vs Newcastle United
Howe was speaking to Premier League reporter Andy Sixsmith ahead of Sunderland vs Newcastle United.
Though Howe isn’t from the North East, he gave a brilliant answer when asked about what the game means to him personally.
The Newcastle United manager spoke of just how much he wanted to reward the fans for their support and do their loyalty justice.
“I think it’s right up there with the best derbies,” he said. “But this is about this club. Most importantly it’s about this city, the people and the supporters and doing them justice on the day. We’re playing for them.
“Football runs through history here. With that love for it comes rivalry. And this is such a big game. We know that. We feel that. I’ve felt it and been told it from the moment I walked into the club. It’s the game on everyone’s lips. We now have to do that justice.”
It won’t be taken lightly and, when Newcastle are on it, they’re a very difficult team to stop.
Who are you starting in midfield vs Sunderland? 🤔
Bruno and Tonali have to start, obviously.
Why Newcastle United fans can be confident against Sunderland
Newcastle’s inconsistency this season is difficult to explain.
However, there have not been many big games this team just haven’t shown up for during Howe’s tenure in charge.
The Carabao Cup final is a prime example. Liverpool were strong favourites heading into the clash at Wembley but Newcastle proved close to perfect as they won a first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
Howe inspired the Newcastle players during the Carabao Cup final with a fabulous half-time team talk that showed them their physical data in the second half of matches.
He challenged them to improve and that’s exactly what he got from them.
Consistency might be an issue, but Newcastle have proven they can navigate these one-off big games.
It looks exactly like the kind of occasion where the big players can step up.
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