NUFC v The Unwashed - Match Preview

Someone, somewhere has heard, or more likely made up, something. Maybe it's related to Calderwood's move away? Maybe something, maybe nothing? This sort of media circus seems to follow us everywhere, and just when you think it's disappearing as we have gone about our business quietly this season, it rears it's ugly head again. So this weekend is almost welcome, so that we can get back to what we love the most. Just watching the team play. I say 'almost' welcome, as this weekend's ficture brings with it a mixture of emotions. The most eagerly awaited match, yet with a touch of dread. The thought of defeat is not a possibility, but I'll bet every one of you will still experience that horrible feeling, if only for a second, in the build up to Sunday's game. Allowing yourself to ponder, what if? It's what keeps us going though.



his is a no lose game. This is the game where you can get one over on every single Mackem you live, drink, work with or even see. This is the one that gets the heart racing more than any other, gets the passion levels into overdrive and creates the noise that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. This is the one where we let them know who's best and how. This is when we can own them until next year at least.



t seems like it's been an age since the last Tyne Wear derby. It's usually the Mackem's job to drop a division and avoid a pounding, but it was us for a change last season. Whilst we lurched from one crisis to another, with a team built on overpaid, underachieving players and chairman bent on self destruction. The Mackems put in place an ex player with a love of the club to run the show, backed by a financially sound chairman, who has invested heavily in the team. We've had to shed players and cut the wage bill dramatically to try and find some stability.



e should be coming into this game as underdogs though, surely? Errr, no. Not at all. I have to wonder just where that money they have spent has gone, as I see a team which is not much more than run of the mill. I'd go as far as to say that player for player, we have the better team. We also have as good a team spirit as anyone these days. Obviously we're struggling at home at the minute, and with only one injury time draw out of the last 4 games, the omens are not good. The flipside of the coin is that they are poor away. They've done nothing to suggest they will make this such an uncomfortable afternoon. Darrenbentsafc should be there name (amongst others)

We haven't lost at home to them for 10 years, and in Carroll, Nolan, Gutierrez and Barton we have some players who can cause damage. Not to mention Ameobi's bizarrely decent derby record. He's scored 5 in the last 5 games. We don't seem to be far away from clicking at home, as our away performances have received much deserved plaudits. It's likely the they will have to come out at some point, and won't be able to sit back in the last 30 yards like Wigan and Stoke did. That should give us some much needed space.



hate this game, but I also love it. I'm sure drink will be involved at some point. I just hope the focus is on celebrating an Emre type screamer.



lats

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