Source: Northern_Echo
‘Time to move on after FA Cup exit’
FABRICIO Coloccini is determined to put Newcastle United's FA Cup exit at Stevenage behind him and write a new chapter in the club's history, as the Magpies look to do the double over Sunderland for the first time since 2005-6.[LNB] The 28-year-old defender has played in three Tyne-Wear derbies since his £10.3m signing from Deportivo la Coruna in 2008, and has only been on the losing side once.[LNB] And the Argentinian believes that victory against the Black Cats will be just the tonic for Newcastle fans, who witnessed an insipid Magpies lose 3-1 at Stevenage on Saturday.[LNB] Coloccini said: I've played in games like that before but it was a very difficult, hard game. They played really well and maybe we didn't play well, may be there were some distractions. But now we have to think about the Premier League.[LNB] Our concentration wasn't as good as it should have been.[LNB] But now it's finished and we have to concentrate on the Premier League.[LNB] I was disappointed with the effort shown by the team.[LNB] But now we are out of the cup so we have to pick up points in the league.[LNB] Kevin Nolan described Sunderland as wounded animals[LNB] yesterday, warning against a backlash at the Stadium of Light, but while Coloccini will relish the challenge posed by the Magpies' old adversaries, he said that defeat would be no disaster.[LNB] He said: Every derby has a different history. Now we have to write another piece of history for Newcastle United.[LNB] I enjoy playing in derbies.[LNB] It's one of the most important games in the season.[LNB] I enjoy the competitiveness, and in the week leading up to the game the people talk to you about how important it is. But I'd prefer it if it would help you to lose the derby and win seven or eight games. I prefer what's best for Newcastle United.[LNB] Sunderland have been boosted in midweek by the news that on-loan forward Danny Welbeck may be fit in time for Sunday's showdown, and that combined with the Black Cats' strikeforce of Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent, Coloccini's work will be cut out for him.[LNB] He said: It will be really difficult but every game is difficult.[LNB] We have good players and a good team. I think it's going to be a good game.[LNB] The Magpies go into Sunday's game without Cheik Tiote, whose appeal against a three-match ban was rejected by the Football Association yesterday.[LNB] The Ivory Coast international saw red on Saturday for a two-footed challenge on Jon Ashton, and the FA saw no reason to disagree with referee Andre Marriner's report.[LNB] As well as the derby, Tiote will miss key Premier League fixtures against Tottenham and Fulham, but the FA chose not to extend his ban for a frivolous appeal and the 24-yearold will serve the mandatory three matches.[LNB] Alan Smith is expected to replace Tiote in the heart of Newcastle's midfield, while the Magpies are understood to be tying up a deal to bring midfielder Sebastian Larsson to the club.[LNB] A man who was arrested after Stevenage's Scott Laird was punched while celebrating the win over Newcastle has been charged with two offences.[LNB] Robert Fitzgerald, 24, from Stevenage, has been charged with common assault and going on to a playing area at a designated football match contrary to sections 4 and 5 of the Football Offences Act, Hertfordshire Police said.[LNB] He has been bailed to appear before Stevenage magistrates on January 26.[LNB]
