Rob Elliot determined to reverse Newcastle's recent derby fortunes against Sunderland

Rob Elliot's looking for Newcastle United to 'put a few wrongs right' against Sunderland.
Rob ElliotRob Elliot
Rob Elliot

The club is looking to put an end to six successive derby defeats on Sunday in what will be new manager Rafa Benitez’s first home game.

Relegation-threatened Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Leicester City on Monday night.

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But United put in an improved performance at the King Power Stadium.

And goalkeeper Elliot said: “With the gaffer being on board, and after the performance against Leicester, hopefully we can push on and create a massive atmosphere at St James’s and go on to put a few wrongs right, especially in terms of the derby and our recent results against Sunderland.”

Sunderland, in 17th place, have a point more than Newcastle.

Elliot said: “Forgetting the other side of it in terms of position in the table and what not, losing six in a row to your nearest rivals simply isn’t right.

“We need to make sure we don’t let that happen again.

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“I think the most important thing is we don’t lose and that we go on to win, set a few things right for the fans, but also for the team and the new manager, and start to get us further up that table.”

The predicament of the two clubs has given the game an added significance.

“No matter when this game happens it’s huge, but especially more so this year given the situation of the two clubs,” said Elliot.

“Both of us are struggling in the league, it’s the gaffer’s first game at home and he gets Sunderland – it doesn’t come much bigger than that.

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“It will be massive, and you don’t need to ever add to the derby any more – but this one has extra spice, even more so than normal.”

A 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth spelled the end of Steve McClaren’s tenure.

But Elliot feels that result, and performance, was an “exception”.

Asked about the team’s form at St James’s Park, Elliot said: “Our home form is going to be key for us to stay up, it always is.

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“We haven’t been bad at home – for me the Bournemouth game was an exception, but before that I feel we’ve played pretty well and been on the front foot against a lot of teams visiting St James’s Park.

“Hopefully, we can enjoy the atmosphere the fans create and we can take that forward (and) produce the performance the fans deserve.”