Fresh off the back of his breathtaking four-goal salvo in Sunday’s 6-2 mauling of Norwich City, the flying Dutchman Gini Wijnaldum has turned his attentions to this weekend’s pivotal Wear-Tyne Derby.
The £14.5m signing took home the match ball after Newcastle blew away Alex Neil’s Canaries in spectacular fashion and McClaren’s side will arrive at the Stadium of Light in buoyant mood as they look to overturn a dismal derby day record of five straight defeats.
Magpies’ fans have ensured that Wijnaldum is well aware of the famous fixture’s importance ahead of this Sunday’s clash and the in form midfielder is eager to bring United’s derby day woes to an end. Speaking to FourFourTwo, the Dutch International said:
When I walk down the street or go into the supermarket, Newcastle fans talk with me. I have already seen how much impact this game has for supporters. They talk directly about this game against Sunderland. I see what they want from the players, we must try to win this game.
McClaren’s timely first win as Newcastle manager was not enough to pull the Magpies out of the bottom 3 but it means that the Magpies enter this weekend’s vital clash 2 points from safety and 3 points ahead of Allardyce’s rock bottom Sunderland side.
The stakes could not be higher for the Magpies, with victory likely see them climb out of the drop zone whilst leaving their bitter Wearside rivals in grave danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table.
