The problem for Newcastle this season was they haven't strengthened enough for CL and PL and it shows. Didn't help their best asset act like a pillock.
Also nobody factored a flying Sunderland with impregnable home fortress anywhere near top half let alone ahead of them.
It's nearly 25 years since Sunderland were a) a good team - and b) Newcastle were at the same time.
Not sure the players for Newcastle and ECL distractions quite get how big this game is for the fans. It should be self evident but not always the case.
I do predict Sunderland will start to slide down the table as they lose players to AFCON and other teams start to work them out.
