With it normally being the Mackems who replace their manager two games before derby day, we have got to hope that copying their tactics of late can help us stop the rot and not allow their awful chant to increase to 'seven in a row'. With Benitez watching the Leicester game from the stands, he'll first appear in the dugout as Newcastle's manager/head coach on March 20th as one of the most important Tyne-Wear derbies of recent times rears its head. So, what exactly is the Spaniard's record against those from the other side of the water? Well, in his 10 games against Sunderland, Benitez has recorded an impressive nine wins. Yes, I understand he was manager of far superior sides than us in that time, but his record is still one we can take pleasure from. And let's face it, if it wasn't for a beach ball he could still have an unbeaten record against our fiercest rivals!
