Phil Babb believes that the first goal is vital tomorrow against arch rivals Newcastle United, and a Black cats win in the Tyne and Wear Derby at St. James Park is desperately needed to boost the confidence in the Sunderland camp.
In a game that is a ‘must’ win for both bottom table teams and both sets of supporters, defeat is not part of the equation. Apart from the more recent Derby between Birmingham City and Aston Villa, there is nothing that compares to tomorrows game, as our Irish enter the battle of the North.
Sunderland have lost their last two games against Middlesboro and Fulham, and they have only taken the lead in one game all season with Leeds, a game they went on to win.
But Babb reckons that of the Black cats get in front at St James it will certainly steady a few nerves. The Republic of Ireland international said:
“The fact is that we have let in some soft goals in the last two games through daft individual errors, and we have to remove them from our game starting this weekend. If we can cut out the silly mistakes then hopefully the good football that we are capable of will take over”
“It’s a huge game but when I came back to the Premiership in the summer, these were the sort of games I was relishing. I’ve played in Derby’s for Liverpool and Sporting, so they hold no fears for me. I’ve heard all about the noise and the atmosphere, and hopefully it one where we can put a smile back on the Sunderland faces”
Newcastle will start with Shay Given and Andy O’Brien. Sunderland’ team will include Tommy Butler, Kevin Kilbane, Phil Babb and Jason McAteer. Babb and McAteer are sure to start, however it will not be known as to whether Kilbane and Butler will make up Peter Reid’s five-man midfield.
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