Pints not points for Sbragia as boss heads for pub to avoid basement battle

11 May 2009 11:52
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has no intention of watching tonight's North East derby. As Newcastle and Middlesbrough fight it out for the three points which will close the gap on Sunderland, Sbragia will head to the pub for a few pints with friends. And the Scot, who is five points ahead of both his rivals, will head to a local where they don't even have a television to ruin his night. Like all Sunderland fans, the Stadium of Light boss is hoping for a fifth successive draw at St James' Park between Newcastle and Boro. Sbragia said: 'I won't watch it. I would be tearing my hair out watching that but thankfully there's no television in the pub I go to. I will go out, have a few pints and the wife will get away from me. 'I didn't watch the Newcastle-Portsmouth game either, I just got a text at about 10.20 and I could do with that score on Monday, too. If it is 0-0 again I will have another pint. 'I have got other things to do other than thinking about football. We can only do what we do and I am not that concerned about Boro or Newcastle. It is up to them to worry now.' Hungary keeper Marton Fulop cannot decide whether he will tune in to the 123rd Tyne-Tees derby. The former Totenham stopper, whose brilliant injury-time stop secured a valuable point at Bolton on Saturday, says Sunderland's players know they are not safe. And with Portsmouth away next on their agenda, followed by a last game at home to Chelsea, they are not guaranteed any more points. Fulop added: 'I have not decided whether to watch it yet but I probably will. I am sure I will be looking for the result. The point for us means this game is not as crucial as it might have been. 'Now we have to think about the last two games. We will not be celebrating until we are mathematically safe but we are getting there slowly. 'We don't look at the other results, we just look after ourselves. If we get a point or a win at Portsmouth we are nearly there. 'Everyone is a lot happier in the dressing room. After the Everton game it was like a cemetery but now it is a much happier place.' 

Source: Daily_Mail