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Six-Point Showdown on Tyneside Monday 11th May 2009
Middlesbrough and Newcastle lock horns tonight at St. James’s Park in what is a must-win game for both sides.
Languishing in the Premier League relegation zone on 31 points apiece, both teams will be going at it hammer and tong as they try and scrap their way to safety.
A win for either side would put them level on points with Hull who lost 2-1 at home to Stoke on Saturday – a win for Newcastle would put them above the Tigers on goal difference.
The atmosphere at St. James’s Park is sure to be red hot and players will have to keep their cool in the heat of the battle. Joey Barton was sent off at Anfield last week for a terrible tackle on Xabi Alonso and manager Alan Shearer will not want a repeat from any of his players.
He said: “The players are aware we are playing for huge stakes here.
“They are aware of the stakes, they are aware of the importance of this particular game. It will be difficult to enjoy it but if we go out and get an early goal, it will settle everyone down.
“I believe we have still got enough time. I still believe we have got enough in the dressing room to get us out of this and I have got confidence in my squad.”
Rival manager Gareth Southgate will be looking to get one over on his former team mate but his Boro side have been on a dreadful run of form.
“It comes down to performing on the night. You could do everything right and not perform on the night; you could do everything wrong and perform on the night,” he said.
“It’s about making sure we get everyone in the right frame of mind, physically feeling as well as they possibly can.
“We are lucky that we still have a chance of getting out of it, and we have got to take advantage of that.”
Fantasy Stakes players should note that Newcastle defender and captain Steven Taylor could return for this crucial Tyne-Tees derby and Middlesbrough’s Andrew Taylor could also make an appearance.
