With the media’s attention firmly fixed on the Manchester United vs. Liverpool FA cup tie, the Tees-Wear derby has slipped under the radar. But the 140th clash of Middlesbrough and Sunderland in this competition still holds huge significance for both sets of fans for very different reasons.
The Black Cats are still experiencing the full joy of the O’Neil revolution and going strong in the Premier League. The enigmatic Northern Irishmen will have his sights set on this competition as well as his squad on their current form look capable of beating anyone on their day and with an array of talented players like Sessegnon and Larsson finding their form under his guidance they could go a long way in this tournament.
It’s also been a good year for Sunderland who have won four of their first five games in 2012 and have conceded just two goals during that span. The same cannot be said for the Boro boys.
They’ve lost three of their last four in which they’ve let in eight goals, which included a humbling home defeat to Burnley since of the turnof the New Year. Their push for automatic promotion now seems harder than ever. This cup tie now may prove a happy distraction for The Boro but suspensions and injuries have ravaged a side that was always facing a tough task in coming to The Stadium of Light.
Still the true magic of the FA Cup often lies in games like these, where local pride as well as a place in the next round is on the line. It is the tournament where dreams come true and right now Tony Mowbray could really use some of that magic to turn his club’s current fortunes around.