There are two games Sunderland fans love and look forward to more than any other, no matter what else is happening in the season – the derby games between Tyneside and Wearside.

And this weekend's prospective game at St James's Park has more to get the juices flowing than most.

First there's the timing, coming at the stage of the season – the beginning of February – where results really start to count.

And secondly there's the added spice that if there's a winner this Sunday, the victors will end the weekend above their bitterest rivals.

But there's also the fact Newcastle have plenty of well-documented problems off the pitch and indifferent form on it, which means they won't be strong favourites at home.

Personally, I think Sunderland are in a good place going into this game.
We've got no real problems with injuries or suspensions, we're going into the game on the back of a really good win from a pressure situation and we also have the confidence of knowing that we've beaten them already this season.

Psychologically, we are in a strong position and although psychology rarely wins games, I think Sunderland will be looking forward to the game.

There's always the pressure of knowing how much rides on the derby for the fans and I think we might have suffered a little from that last season, which was was one of the poorest derby performances I've seen from a Sunderland side at St James's. We didn't turn up.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are players who were involved in that defeat last season who are really looking forward to this game and planning to make sure they give a better account of themselves.

There's a lot of positivity surrounding Sunderland at the moment, not just with the result on Tuesday but the long-term tying down of Kenwyne Jones.

In contrast Newcastle have lost at Man City and are struggling to keep Shay Given.

All this of course, might count for nothing on the day.

At least Sunderland supporters can enjoy the build-up to Sunday's game with real anticipation, not trepidation.

I think we've got a great chance of getting to the final whistle having got not only our first top flight double over the Magpies since the 1960s but a win which would push us up into the top half of the table.