It's the one fixture that the Toon faithful demand Newcastle United win this time around anyway, and yet Steve McClaren seems to have inadvertently heaped even more pressure on his Magpies side a full two-and-a-half months before the Wear-Tyne derby. For when McClaren was asked about whether or not Newcastle's season will be defined by their tough run of fixtures at the beginning of the season, the Magpies boss said he wanted his side to be judged after "10 games". And it just so happens that Newcastle's 10th opponents of their Barclays Premier League campaign are bitter rivals Sunderland - a side the Magpies have failed to beat in seven, and who they have lost to an agonising five times in succession. The Magpies' season begins against Europa League side Southampton on Sunday at St James' Park (1.30pm kick-off), before back-to-back trips to Swansea City and then Manchester United. Their tough start continues when they then face Arsenal (home), West Ham United (away), Watford (home), Champions Chelsea (home), Manchester City (away) and Norwich City (home) - before travelling to the Stadium of Light for their 10th fixture of the season on Sunday October 25th. And, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Saints game on Thursday, McClaren highlighted the importance of the first 10 games. He said (NUFCTV, paywall):
"Absolutely - thank you for reminding me of the (difficulty of the) next six or seven, eight games when I'm trying to focus on one on Sunday .
"I tend to think, as always, never get carried away and never get too despondent - no matter what happens in the first few games.
"Obviously we want to show our attitude and show what we mean but I think the key thing is settle down, have a look, first 10 games - see where we are, see what we've got and see what we need to do.
"I've always kind of said don't look after one games, don't look after three games, don't look after five games - (the) first 10 games gives you a good gauge of where you are and where you're going to end up."
Will Newcastle head into the Wear-Tyne derby in a strong position? Or will the game take on even more significance because the Magpies are struggling in the Premier League come the end of October? Only time will tell... For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
