EDDIE Howe has sought to play down Sunderland’s “error of judgement” in rebranding a section of the the Stadium of Light in Newcastle colours – and says his players need to “blank out the distractions” when quizzed on whether this week’s mistake from the Black Cats could in fact stoke the home players.
Sunderland fans reacted furiously on Thursday when pictures emerged of the Black Cats Bar – which will house corporate hospitality Newcastle fans – being given a black and white refurb.
Sunderland later issued an apology and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus took to social media to tell of his “disgust and hurt” at the situation, with the Newcastle decoration later taken down.
Howe was inevitably quizzed on the matter at his press conference on Friday morning and asked whether the Sunderland error was a pre-match win for Newcastle and their fans.
He said: “I don’t feel that. These things can happen. It’s up to Sunderland what they do with their stadium, it’s nothing to do with us.”
This week’s Sunderland anger could further stoke the home fans in what already promised to be a fierce atmosphere at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and Howe said: “Regardless of what you’re expecting, you still have to play the match in front of you. We’ve just got to blank out any distractions and play the game and use our support, which I’m sure will be incredible, to propel us to a really good performance.”
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Newcastle will be backed by 6,000 fans on Wearside and Howe says the travelling supporters have a huge part to play.
He said: “I don’t think it’s specific to a derby. In any game you want your away supporters there in numbers. They have been, they have been incredible for us on the road this year.
“We want to repay that support with our best performance and a performance the supporters can be proud of.”
Newcastle will make a late fitness call on Kieran Trippier ahead of the game but Callum Wilson has been ruled out.
Howe said: “With Kieran we’re going to give him a late test today and see how he is for tomorrow.”
On Wilson, he said: “It’s not too bad but it’s enough to keep him out of this game and next game. We’ll hopefully have him back for Aston Villa.”
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
