This Saturday- Its On

Fear and most sincere loathing from fans, fear and impulsiveness from players ambushed by the noise as well as opponents, fear and stress from managers fretful about overblown consequences: fear stalks Sunderland-Newcastle derby day even in mid-August.

The fixture has become a 90-minute panic attack. There has been a steady escalation in the heat of the language surrounding these matches; it has not produced a rise in flowing football.

The tension is visible.


You can see it in the eight-foot metal wall that will shield Newcastle United's bussed-in supporters from their rivals outside the Stadium of Light.

You can see it in the warnings to those travelling from Tyneside independently.

A helicopter overhead as the Geordie convoy makes its way along the 11-mile route will add to the sense of menace.

There are other cordons too.

The buses leave St James' Park at 10am because kick-off is at noon. This has been dictated by the police, not television.

There were 33 arrests inside the ground alone during January's Wear-Tyne derby and a pitch intruder shoved Newcastle keeper Steve Harper.

That could have been worse.

Sunderland need no repeat of it.


The atmosphere was electric then and it will be on Saturday. It could be a 48,000 sell-out audio-visual treat and an opportunity to see new players on both sides.

But the hostility of the occasion has overtaken the match before.

Bitterness between the cities has outstripped a competitive sporting rivalry. It makes for scrappy football.

The game is appropriated by flag-wavers.

'Absolute chaos,' is Shola Ameobi's verdict.

That is not so different from other derbies across Britain but the North East trades on warmth.

Passionate People, Passionate Places, as the adverts say.

Tension is building up for sure lol

They should totally play this song when the teams come to the pitch.

I got a feeling sunderland might edge this.

not as big as the melbourne heart vs victory derby

Would be more appropriate

Just drove through the centre of Sunderland and the atmospheres electric. Probably more police here today than there was during the London riots.

Game on

Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle. I watchedthe first half and 15 minutes of second...Sessegnon was very lively, but Krul made some crucial saves.

Gratz to Mole and other NUFC supporters here

Two promising youngsters doesn't equal one Darren Bent, no cutting edge in the final third from Sunderland.

Beautiful freekick from Taylor.

Couldn't watch any as was outdoors until just before Ars v Liv kick-off, but well done NUFC for claiming all three points.

We were crap.

Defence and midfield we wernt bad. Its just upfront we are lacking. Gyan can not play as a lone striker.

Hopefully this will prove that to Bruce and he will go out sign us one. Otherwise we will struggle this season.

Disappointed with result today. I agree with Gyansdancingboots that we should sign another striker. Hopefully, this is just a bad day and that we have a very good season.