Newcastle United Women travel to the Stadium of Light aiming for their fourth consecutive win over Sunderland.
Newcastle United Women manager Tanya Oxtoby has backed her players to give the city a lift after the men’s team suffered heartbreak against Sunderland last weekend.
Like double-decker buses, the North East is preparing for its second Tyne-Wear derby in a week. The Lasses head to the Stadium of Light aiming for their fourth consecutive victory over Sunderland and, most importantly, WSL promotion.
As it stands, Newcastle sit four points off an automatic spot with just as many games remaining. Rivalry aside, the clash is being touted as a must-win game regardless of the opponent.
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Newcastle United Women can give city a lift
Speaking to The Gazette, Toon boss Oxtoby - appointed in November - expressed her disappointment for Eddie Howe and Co last Sunday. However, she is solely focused on the task at hand as the Magpies chase promotion to the big leagues.
“From our perspective, obviously (we feel we can lift the city),” Oxtoby said. “We watched the game (and were) disappointed for the lads but we have a job to do and we need to be focused.”
Oxtoby is set to taste her first Tyne-Wear derby but has urged her team to focus on their “performance” rather than the occasion. She added: “I know there's a little bit extra (on the game). I get that but, from our perspective, we've got to really focus on the performance side of things and make sure we execute and treat the opposition with the respect they deserve so that we continue to give ourselves the best possible chance of promotion.
“The occasion is not lost on me and, obviously, everything that goes with it but my job is to make sure everyone stays focused and we celebrate once the job is done. If you get too far ahead of yourself or take your eye off the prize, then that's when you get yourself into trouble.”
Emma Kelly highlights Newcastle United record
While the men have a turgid recent record against Sunderland, three consecutive triumphs - including a 3-1 win in November’s reverse fixture - paints a different picture for the women’s team. Having represented Newcastle, the Black Cats and Middlesbrough, Emma Kelly is fully aware of how much the fixture means to the 1,500 travelling supporters.
“We've not got the worst record against Sunderland. The past three games we've won so, hopefully, we can put the men's result right and do the double on them this season. It's a massive derby. I'm more than aware of that with obviously playing for both of the clubs.
“But again, it's one of them where we need to make sure we don't let emotions get too much ahead of us because, at the end of the day, it's just another game, maybe just with a little bit more grit and fight with it being a derby. I'm not overly emotional about it, I'm just looking forward to it.”
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