"Support Newcastle? Never."
Six in a row, Jermaine Defoe and Paulo Di Canio's knee slide. Just some of the memorable moments from red and white perspective heading into the eagerly anticipated Wear-Tyne Derby this weekend.
The FA Cup is well renowned for throwing up fairy-tale stories, but very few Black Cats' supporters would have had an FA Cup Third Round clash with Newcastle United on their wish list.
Sunderland's own strife over recent years is well documented and their relegation from the top flight back in 2017, coinciding with their bitter rivals' own relegation to the Championship, means Saturday's game will be the first meeting between the two sides in seven years.
The Black Cats are back on an upward trajectory, but so too are their fierce rivals following the Saudi led takeover at St. James' Park. Newcastle United have invested just short of £500million into their playing squad since 2019, while Sunderland's spend has been considerably less.
The Magpies will no doubt be the favourites heading into the tie, but any supposed gulf in talent goes out the window in a derby meeting between the two sides.
Unlike up the road, Sunderland have relied on various methods to transform their current squad, relying on promising local talent and investing into foreign youngsters, looking to make the grade in English football.
The likes of Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil have been mainstay's in the club's recent successes, with both linked with moved to the Premier League as a reward for their fine form. Sunderland have done well to fend off any interest with both players integral to their long-term vision.
The year-on-year progression at the Stadium of Light following Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' takeover at the club has been so far so good for the Black Cats. The decision to implement a new recruitment model at the Stadium of Light a driving force behind promotion from League One and a play-off finish in their first season back in the top flight. However, the departure of Tony Mowbray over Christmas brought about it's own level of scrutiny. Combined with the decision to award Newcastle 6,000 tickets for the tie, forcing many home supporters who would usually sit in the North Stand as season ticket holders to move for the game, has put the Black Cats owners under the spotlight.
Supporters made their feelings clear towards the ownership regime's decision to do this prior to the clash with Coventry City, but that could be long forgotten if Michael Beale's side are victorious come the final whistle.
"It’s a magical cup and anything can happen on the day," Neil told We Are Sunderland. Born on the South Bank of the River Tyne, the Sunderland academy graduate knows just how much a derby triumph means to the red and white faithful, having supported the club since birth.
"My dad and my grandad are Sunderland fans, I don’t know where it came from but I had season tickets with from whenever I could go to games. Where I’m from, Jarrow and Hebburn, a lot of my mates are Newcastle fans. Most of the lads I went to school with are Newcastle fans."
Neil says there was "never" a choice between picking the Magpies as his team of choice, devoting the early years of his life to supporting the Black Cats before pulling on the red and white stripes himself.
"First derby I can remember is the Kieran Richardson free-kick," he said. "That’s the one that I remember. I’ve been to a lot of them since then but it’s the one I really remember. I was in the south-west corner. Around that area. Almost behind the goal, on the angle from where it hit it.
"I never really went to the away ones, it was more the home ones. I remember Fletcher at the back post from Kaboul’s cross, Billy Jones' goal.
"I’m really looking forward to it. It’s always been a dream to play in these types of games. I don’t think I’m going to have to put my head down – but I’ve never played in one so I don’t know what it’s going to be like.
"I’m sure I’m going to get a few messages off my mates because most of them are Newcastle fans. Most of the people where I’m from are Newcastle fans so I’m sure I’ll get a few texts off them through the week. Just got to stay focussed on how we play and how we’re going to stop them.
"Obviously I’ve seen a lot of derbies over the years and I’ve watched the ones from before I was even born. It’s just a massive game for the area and to say you’ve been involved in one, hopefully on the end of the right result in one, is a big achievement and one that I really want to have.
"The atmosphere, the rivalry is fierce and I’m sure on the day the atmosphere will be unbelievable. These are the types of games you want to play in and we’re really looking forward to it."
There's been plenty of talk about the game after the FA Cup draw last month - but despite talk among the players, that's been parked to one side, until this week at least.
"The last few weeks we’ve had to park that to one side and focus on the league, especially after the Coventry result," Neil said. "I think we’ve done that really well, now the last three games are out the way we can get prepared to give it our all.
"When the draw first came out there was talk about it but we’ve obviously still had a job to do in the league. After the Coventry result, the old gaffer leaving, it’s not like it’s the only thing that was going on around the club.
"After the Coventry game we had to get together as a team and say it needed to be better. That’s probably helped take the focus away from the game and we reacted really well to the Coventry game and came away with seven points from the last nine. That’s lead us nicely into the weekend’s game.
"You never know whether you’re going to play in one of these games. Obviously being a fan growing up it’s a game you always dream of playing in. I’m sure all the lads know the significance of it and know the meaning of it.
"All the lads are excited now we’ve got the games out of the way leading up to it. It’s here, it’s the next one and everyone is looking forward to it. It comes down to preparation and recovery, making sure we get our legs back under us after the next few weeks. We’ll go out there and give it a good go."
Sunderland's British core will be well aware of the magnitude of the fixture, but Neil says the local lads will be doing all they can to get the message across to the young foreign contingent ahead of the battle.
"It's going to be new to a lot of the lads," Neil said. "I think all the English lads understand and I’m sure this week we’ll get the lads to understand it.
"I’m sure when they go onto social media and things they’ll see the build-up to it and understand how big a game it is. That’s both sides as well by the way. It’s a massive occasion and we’re really looking forward to it.
"We’ve got on the physio board a few translations so I’ll have to get onto Google Translate and let them know."
Sunderland have picked up seven points from their last three games heading into the game, seven from a possible 12 points available to Beale since his appointment as head coach. In contrast, Newcastle United have lost their last three games and have a poor away record this season.
Despite the visitors being in a higher division, Neil says the Black Cats are relishing the tie and don't see the game as a free hit. He said: "Because it’s a derby it gets magnified. As a Championship squad we’re just relishing the chance to play against a Premier League team.
"When we played Fulham last year, everyone absolutely loved it cause it’s a chance to show where you are as an individual and as a team against these types of players. There’s no mistakes about it, they’ve done really well over the last couple of years Newcastle. It’s a good chance for the lads to show what they can do and as a team, show what we can do.
"We go into every game believing we can damage an opponent and if we can keep them out at the other end we’ve got a good chance of scoring. Going back to the Fulham game again, I think we went toe-to-toe with them, especially at their place in the first leg.
"Obviously the derby is a different type of game, it’s almost a one off. We need to stick together on the pitch. I’m under no illusions it’s going to be a tough game, because of the difference but I believe in all the lads downstairs and they all believe in each other. We’re going to go out there and give it our all.
"Almost a free hit but I don’t like that phrase. At the end of the day we always want to go into a game trying to win it. We’re not going in saying, if we win it we win it, if we lose it we lose it.
"It doesn’t matter who we’re playing against, we could be playing against Arsenal or someone like that and we still want to win the game. That doesn’t change just because it’s Newcastle or Premier League opposition. We’re going to give it our all and hopefully come on the right side.
"If you can get your name on the scoresheet – for both sides – you’re written down in history for them. I’m sure a lot of the lads will be looking forward to try and get on the scoresheet."
Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini are just two of the names that spring to mind with derby winning strikes and although Neil says he hasn't had much time to think about netting a winner over the festive period, he'll be doing just that this week.
"I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it this week," he added. "Everybody that’ll be involved in the game will be thinking about it. It’s a massive chance as a team, individual to make a name for yourself and put yourself down in history in this area. I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it, just as everyone else will be involved in the game."
For Sunderland teammate Patterson, his job will be the opposite - keeping a clean sheet will be vital to the Black Cat's hopes of winning the tie.
"I was buzzing with the draw, he said. "It’s a great game to be involved in and I think all the lads in the dressing room are the same boat as me whether they’re from up here or not.
"It’s going to be a great occasion. A lot of the lads are quite aware of how big of a game it is and how special the occasion is going to be, the atmosphere and all the rest of it. Everyone is well aware.
"They’re special games. I was there for Borini’s goal, Defoe’s goal. Some good goals. It’s a crazy atmosphere and I can’t wait."
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