Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon calls for calm ahead of Sunday's derby with rivals Newcastle
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has warned his teammates not to get caught up in the derby atmosphere again as they attempt to set the record straight against arch-rivals Newcastle on Sunday.[LNB]The 28-year-old Scotland international watched the Magpies' 5-1 rout of their neighbours at St James' Park on October 31 from the bench following his return from injury.[LNB]Belgian Simon Mignolet was the man who had to pick the ball out of his net five times after Kevin Nolan plundered a hat-trick and Shola Ameobi maintained his impressive record against the Black Cats with a double.[LNB]In with a shout: Craig Gordon is hoping to shut out Newcastle on Sunday[LNB]Amid the soul-searching which engulfed Wearside in the wake of the club's worst derby defeat in more than 50 years, manager Steve Bruce admitted that his team had been too young, too naive and had simply not turned up for one of the biggest games of the season.[LNB]And, speaking ahead of the clash at the Stadium of Light this weekend, Gordon knows the Black Cats cannot afford a repeat of their display at the home of the Magpies.[LNB]He said: 'It's a time for calm heads. If the manager said that's what he thought the main problem was the last time, then I am sure he is spot-on with that.[LNB]'He has had a lot of time to reflect on it, as we all have, and we will be making sure that doesn't happen again.[LNB]'We have got a few players back from injury and suspension now and we are slowly starting to get our squad back together, although it is not at full-strength, as Newcastle won't be.[LNB]'It's a case of both squads being tested to the full, especially after the amount of fixtures we have had recently, and it will be a time for experienced players to go in there and play the game.'[LNB]That may be easier said than done, however, with the red and white half of the Tyne-Wear divide contemplating little other than revenge.[LNB]Gordon continued: 'You can't escape that. Everybody knows how important this is.[LNB]'We are desperately trying to put in a better show than we did the last time.[LNB]'On our home patch, our form in the league has been very good and we are desperate to keep that going.[LNB]'A lot of supporters will say these are the most important games, regardless of league position or cup runs or whatever.[LNB]'These are the games they look at and it is up to us to make sure they have got something to shout about come the end of it.'[LNB] At the treble: Kevin Nolan hit a hat-trick against Sunderland at St James' Park[LNB]Newcastle had not lost a league game on Wearside for 28 years until Kieran Richardson's goal condemned them to a 2-1 defeat in October 2008, the last time this fixture was played in Sunderland.[LNB]Indeed, the Stadium of Light has proved something of a fortress during Bruce's reign to date with only Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Blackpool having left Wearside with all three points since August 2009.[LNB]The Seasiders' 2-0 victory on December 28 is their only home league reverse this season, and although West Ham and Notts County have both won cup games in the North East, a new-found defensive resilience has proved invaluable.[LNB]Gordon added: 'We have done well defensively this season. We possibly haven't scored quite as many goals as we would have liked, but defensively, we have been very, very solid and that is what has been the catalyst for us to go and get as many points as we have at this stage.[LNB]'In saying that, we are only a couple of games from getting sucked back into the middle of the pack again, so it's very important we keep that going to make sure we stay where we are.'[LNB] SUNDERLAND v Newcastle: Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck face late fitness testsSunderland seek to tempt Paris Saint Germain with £4m offer for Sessegnon Sunderland boss Bruce out to make amends in derby date with Newcastle Doncaster swoop to sign Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon on loan[LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Nolan, Steve Bruce, Craig Gordon Places: Newcastle, Scotland
