Source: Northern_Echo
Derby day heightens Bruce's nerves
A SELL-OUT crowd will turn up at the Stadium of Light this afternoon when there will be a knot in the stomach of every fan and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce knows exactly how it feels - he endures a similar feeling every week.[LNB] Bruce has been in management for the last 13 years and he has become a manager who loves football but hates the match-day experience and today will be exactly the same.[LNB] From the Northumberland town of Corbridge, Bruce's schoolboy days were spent supporting Newcastle United so he knows all about the importance of winning a derby and this year will be no different.[LNB] Having suffered the most embarrassing defeat of his two-year reign so far at the hands of the Magpies last October, Bruce is keen to make amends this season, particularly after January's draw in the return fixture.[LNB] But despite enjoying the build up, the preparation and the banter, Bruce will not enjoy this morning and he is already wishing for full-time - in the hope of a Black Cats win.[LNB] "I don't think I look forward to any games now to be honest," said Bruce. "It is hard. I have got a great job, the best job in the world until Saturday afternoon and then I despise every minute of it unless you win of course.[LNB] "I love the job, I love the build up, but let me say that noone can tell you what it is like. You train them all week then let them go.[LNB] "I have never known a derby come around so quick. When I found out I could not believe it. I cannot believe there are so many big games so early in the season."[LNB] What has disappointed Bruce over the years is the way such an intense rivalry has become an excuse, in many quarters, for violence in the stands and around the stadiums on Wearside and Tyneside.[LNB] When the two teams met in January, a supporter was arrested after he ran on to the pitch and pushed over Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper after Asamoah Gyan's stoppage time equaliser.[LNB] There were missiles thrown in to the Newcastle goalmouth and there was also trouble between large groups of fans in the South Stand at the Stadium of Light after the final whistle had blown.[LNB] Bruce, echoing sentiments previously uttered by the late Sir Bobby Robson, wants to see both sets of supporters show a greater respect for one another and the area in general.[LNB] "I never witnessed those scenes as a kid because I don't think we were in the same divisions at the time," said Bruce. "There is always going to be a rivalry, but it borders on the hatred now.[LNB] "That disappoints me and is not the North-East really. We should be proud of the spectacle, but there should not be that hatred and it boils over into the streets.[LNB] "You see the police protection and the riot squads and that disappoints me so much. That is the society we are living in now. I just hope we can get around that and become a different society. The region deserves better than that. We should be talking about the football, not the hatred."[LNB] One Newcastle player destined for a heated reception from Sunderland's supporters will be Joey Barton.[LNB] The controversial midfielder, who has remained at St James' Park despite contractual problems and Twitter rows with owner Mike Ashley, remains a key figure inside the Newcastle dressing room.[LNB] But Bruce preferred not to be drawn on Barton's situation. He said: "Barton is a good player and he played well in the two games against us last season.[LNB] "You have to be honest and say the kid is a good player, but all the other stuff that goes about him is a delight for the media, that is for certain. Certainly in the derby games he played very well, but so did two or three others who are not there and that should help us."[LNB] Bruce has hinted that he will make "one or two changes" to the team that drew 1-1 at Liverpool last Saturday, although he is certain to keep Asamoah Gyan in his starting line-up.[LNB] Gyan has shrugged off a slight niggle sustained at Anfield and his manager is keen to see the Ghana striker improve on last season's start to life on Wearside, when he scored ten goals in his first 20 Premier League starts.[LNB] Bruce said: "I am expecting big things from him. He scored 11 goals in 21 starts for me last season. He is a big talent and he scored the equaliser against Newcastle last year even though it was fortuitous.[LNB] "I am expecting big things from him in this game. I think the experience of last year will stand him in good stead. He found it a blur last year."[LNB]
