Sunderland manager Mick Beale shares how he really feels to have drawn Newcastle in the FA Cup

Add as preferred source on Google

Sunderland manager Michael Beale has revealed how he really feels about playing Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round this weekend.

Newcastle are facing Sunderland in the FA Cup for the first time in 1956 and it is the first Tyne-Wear derby for almost eight years.

Manager Michael Beale, who was only hired a few weeks ago, has been speaking ahead of the game and revealed how fortunate he feels to be competing in this historic and fierce fixture.

Beale is looking forward to facing Newcastle on Saturday

It’s not a fixture that many were anticipating to have to endure this season, and it’s not one that the majority of supporters from both sides are particularly excited for.

Newcastle are by far the superior side on paper having spent a significant amount in the last few windows while Sunderland have been challenging at the top end of the second division.

Having said that, however, few Newcastle fans will be feeling overly confident heading into the game considering the team’s terrible away record this season and the poor run of form which has seen them lose seven of their last eight in all competitions.

Beale is remaining quite upbeat about the fixture and is looking forward to having his Sunderland team tested against Newcastle’s Premier League squad.

In his press conference, Beale said: “The whole nation is looking forward to this. It’s the tie of the round. We’re the fortunate ones to be involved after no derby in seven years.”

Newcastle desperately need to win this game

It’s too difficult to even imagine what the consequences would be should Newcastle lose this game, but it’s safe to say that the pressure the Eddie Howe is currently under would increase tenfold.

In a season in which Newcastle have played in Milan and Paris in the Champions League and came within touching distance of another Carabao Cup semi-final, the entire 2023/24 campaign now rests on this game.

A win would be a monumental boost to the players confidence after a truly terrible run that has left them in ninth in the league and realistically only fighting for one more trophy.

As kick off edges closer and closer, it’s safe to say neither set of supporters are looking forward to what should be a very intense and nerve-wrecking game of football.