MusaSunderland legend Michael Gray has told Newcastle United to expect an “electric” reception when they visit the Stadium of Light in December.
The North East came to a standstill at 9am this morning as the Premier League released the fixture list for the upcoming campaign. In recent years, this has been a low-key affair but Sunderland’s return after eight seasons added extra spice to the occasion.
Eddie Howe’s men triumphed in the FA Cup 18 months ago with a routine 3-0 victory. But the last Premier League game between the two clubs was in March 2016 when Aleksandar Mitrovic rescued a late point at St James’ Park.
Tyne-Wear derby returns
Newcastle fans immediately searched for the Black Cats once the schedule was confirmed – with a trip to the Stadium of Light awaiting on December 13. Tyneside is set to host the reverse fixture on March 21, although these dates could be tweaked to another day on the same weekend depending on TV listings.
A festive Tyne-Wear derby is the perfect antidote to cure nine years without the fixture being played at top-flight level. Newcastle will travel to Wearside days after a Champions League fixture but Sunderland would have made consecutive trips to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Sunderland legend fires warning
Speaking to talkSPORT, Sunderland legend Gray – who scored their first ever Premier League goal in 1996 – warned Newcastle about the “electric” atmosphere that awaits at the Stadium of Light. He said: “If you’ve never been to those games (Tyne-Wear derby), I’m sure you’ve seen them on TV… it’s fiery, it’s electric and it’s the game that all Sunderland supporters and Newcastle supporters this morning (have looked for first).
“It’s all they’ll be talking about. December and March are going to be really important months for Sunderland and Newcastle. I think we’re going to be fighting at different ends of the table, there’s no doubt about that. We’re not silly, we know exactly what’s been going on. But they’re incredible games to play in.
“The Stadium of Light is going to be absolutely electric. If I’m covering the game for talkSPORT at St James’ Park, I’m going in (the ground) about four hours before kick-off! The supporters, you imagine the guys going to work today, it’s all they’re going to be talking about. I’m sure they’re going to be talking about Newcastle.”
Concerns over three promoted clubs
Gray also expressed worries about the three promoted clubs needing to compete. In the past two Premier League seasons, the trio that came up from the Championship suffered an immediate relegation.
“All our hard work last season was to play against the top sides in the Premier League,” he added. “Leeds have been up and down; they’ll want to try and stay in the league. Burnley, we know defensively that they’re brilliant, can they do it again? Sunderland… what are you going to get from them? They’re a young side. What players are going to be coming through the door? I just hope these three sides can compete because we don’t want to see what we’ve seen over the last few seasons.
“It’s not too bad. You want to get off the mark as quick as you possibly can. You’ve got to give yourself that platform at the beginning of the season. Jumping into the Premier League, everyone knows it’s going to be hard. But my goodness, those supporters (on the) first day of the season (against West Ham), it’s gonna be absolutely phenomenal and I can’t wait for it.
“West Ham… the stadium is going to be jam-packed. It’s going to be rocking, it’s going to be electric. For the three promoted sides, the most important thing is to get points on the board as quickly as you can. I know all the sides in the Premier League will be saying the same thing but I think those first few games just gives you that platform.
“Sunderland need as much as they can to give themselves that fighting chance of staying in the Premier League. The three sides that have just been promoted know they need to try and get that home form (going).”
Musa
