Everything Jack Colback said about Sunderland ahead of the Newcastle United derby clash
Jack Colback has played the Wear-Tyne derby for both Sunderland and Newcastle United.
Former Nottingham Forest man Colback is currently a free agent after departing Championship side QPR at the end of last season.
The 36-year-old is certainly a polarising figure in the north east, having played on either side of the Sunderland and Newcastle derby clash.
Newcastle are set for a trip to Sunderland on Sunday in the first meeting of the two outfits in the Premier League for nine years.
Colback has now spoken out on the Black Cats ahead of the Stadium of Light clash, despite being largely despised by the Mackems.
Jack Colback speaks ahead of Sunderland vs Newcastle United
Eddie Howe has a selection dilemma to face Sunderland as he looks to continue the Magpies’ positive run of form in recent weeks.
The black and white striped outfit are four unbeaten, but still sit 12th in the Premier League, while their recently promoted rivals sit above them in 10th.
Regis Le Bris’ side have the opportunity to move as high as seventh with three points and will be keen to right the wrongs of the 3-0 defeat against Newcastle in January 2024.
Former Sunderland and Newcastle man Colback has shared his view on the Black Cats ahead of the clash live on talkSPORT.
The Englishman can see the home side putting on a much better showing than they did the last time the two sides met.
He said: “I suppose for me now, I’m neutral. I played for both, obviously, I come from Newcastle, grew up in Newcastle, so I knew what it was about from then on, but playing for both, you just want a good game, you know.
“It [Sunderland’s recruitment] has [paid off] and they’re getting the credit for that, and where they are in the league now is remarkable really, the start they’ve had. I don’t think you can compare the game last year, it’s a completely different team in terms of where Sunderland are now. It’s going to be a completely different game.
“I think the fact that Sunderland have done so well at the start of the season gives them license and freedom to really attack the game and take it in a positive manner, and try to win. I think their success so far this season has come from being organised and being in a low block, but I think if you sit in a low block in the derby, the fans may not accept that.“
How did Sunderland line up the last time they faced Newcastle?
So much has changed since Sunderland last faced off against Newcastle.
The Mackems are now in the Premier League and have so many top-class players, with Granit Xhaka undoubtedly the best of the bunch.
Things couldn’t have been much different in 2024, when Michael Beale’s side suffered a hugely frustrating defeat in the FA Cup third round.
Only Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard, Luke O’Nien and Dan Neil being the only players to stick around from the starting 11 and feature in the Premier League.
Aje Alese and Abdoullah Ba are still in and around the Stadium of Light but are unlikely to feature for the first team this campaign, while Anthony Patterson has fallen to second-choice keeper.
Nazariy Rusyn, Pierre Ekwah, Jobe Bellingham, Alex Pritchard and Jack Clarke also started on the day, but have all moved on and left room for huge improvement under Le Bris.
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