Source: Telegraph
Newcastle-Sunderland derby won't make or break season, says Kevin Nolan
Nolan put the importance of the game into perspective as he prepared to lead his team into action against neighbours Sunderland at St James' Park on Sunday. [LNB]"There's always pressure on you as a footballer, but we know at the end of the day, this isn't going to make or break our season," Nolan said. [LNB] Related ArticlesFog on the Tyne... againClarke rejects Newcastle roleNewcastle United v Sunderland: match previewChris Hughton backed by rival BruceNewcastle United 0 Arsenal 4Newcastle back Chris Hughton"It will help us if we win and we haven't won at home for a while. We've struggled at home of late. It's probably a nice game to go into. [LNB]"You've got to detach yourself from what's going on outside and just focus on the game. It's time to do that. We won't do anything different to what we normally do. [LNB]The former Bolton skipper is certain Sunderland will prove to be formidable opponents. [LNB]"It's going to be tough against Sunderland," Nolan added. "Titus Bramble and Michael Turner are big strong lads. Michael Turner lives round the corner from us and he will want to do well. Titus has got connections with Newcastle so it's going to be a tough game as it always is. [LNB]"A lot of the Sunderland players live near us and if we see them out, we have mutual respect for each other. I don't speak to any of them on a daily basis, but a few of the lads speak to them. [LNB]"I know it's a massive game and another derby, but we've got to focus on the three points and three points would be massive for us at this stage. Three points would put us in a really positive place in the table." [LNB]Despite his North-West background, Nolan is no stranger to North-East derbies having played in a 1-1 draw two seasons ago as Newcastle slid towards relegation. [LNB]"That was my debut," Nolan said. "I only signed the day before so I didn't really have the build-up to it. This week it's unbelievable the number of people who want to say something to you. [LNB]"They're all excited about it and that's what's nice about it. It's always nice to be like that and we hope to make it like that every week and not just when we play Sunderland. [LNB]We want the buzz to stay with the fans, who have stuck with us through tough times. Hopefully we can perform and get the three points." [LNB]
