Sadly the lack of backbone in the team is evident and John Carver singling out those he blames, is hardly going to help that fragile team spirit.

Looking forward to Sunday, Mike Williamson says he knows ‘what it’s all about’ having played in seven derby matches in his time at Newcastle.

Moussa Sissoko was kept put of harm’s way when France played Denmark on Sunday night, with only Daryl Janmaat and Tim Krul to worry about now.

Gus Poyet took training this morning with the Sunderland team but was then sacked afterwards in a pre-arranged meeting with club executives.

Turning our thoughts to Sunday, the mackms will line up with dopes such as Cuellar, O’Shea or whoever, and rather than giving them the comfort of a Cisse or Remy to mark within touching distance, I’d like to see Pardew use the tactic again.