Newcastle United are 15th in the Premier League table right now and most Sunderland fans would surely love to see the Magpies relegated.
It is not a great time to be a fan of one of the north east giants.
Newcastle United look set for yet another Premier League relegation battle this season, while Sunderland are fighting tooth and nail to ensure their spell in the third tier of English football is a short one.
And, while Sunderland look well placed to finish in the top two of League One, Newcastle’s fate seems far less certain.
Rafa Benitez’s side are 15th, three points above the bottom three heading into a daunting home clash against an in-form Manchester United team on Wednesday night.
But, speaking on talkSPORT (2 January, 8:00am), Sunderland legend Micky Gray has put his allegiances to one side and has backed Newcastle to survive, admitting that he would prefer to see one North Eastern representative playing top flight football over the coming years.
“I think they’ve got enough (to stay up). Huddersfield and Fulham will find it difficult, I think Southampton are still struggling and Newcastle have got enough now,” said Sunderland-born Gray, who made around 400 appearances for the Black Cats.
“Yes (I’d like Newcastle to survive). I would I think it’s a club that deserves to be in the Premier League when you look at the support they’ve got.
“But I’ll have to wait a few years for the Sunderland Newcastle derby!”
With the January transfer window open, questions will inevitably turn to whether owner Mike Ashley has the funds or the willingness to back Benitez in the transfer market over the next month.
It is no secret that the Spaniard wants new signings with a winger, a creative midfielder and a centre-forward all certain to be welcomed with open arms.
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