GARY PALLISTER believes reports of unrest in the Newcastle squad has handed Middlesbrough a potentially crucial advantage ahead of what he called “the most important Tyne-Tees derby ever”.

Pallister was speaking at the Middlesbrough Former Players’ Association golf day at Wynyard Hall Golf Club, Wynyard, Teesside, yesterday.

The former Boro centre-half noted the problems Alan Shearer has faced as he attempts to impose his authority over the Magpies squad.

Pallister admitted he will be watching Monday’s derby showdown from the comfort of his local pub “so I can either drown my sorrows or bask in the glory if Middlesbrough win.”

But in either scenario, the defender who made more than 200 appearances in a Boro shirt, declared he will be content to follow the match from a fan’s perspective.

“When I look at what Alan’s having to deal with, it reinforces my decision not to go into management,” Pallister confirmed.

“I’ve worked with one of the best of all time in Sir Alex (Ferguson) and seen the effort and time involved in being a top manager. You’ve got to be of a certain ilk. It was a strange time for Alan to come in and he’s found it hard.

“There’s not been a Midas touch. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a great player, it’s a different job being a manager.

There are tough decisions to be made – you’ve got to gain the trust of players over a period of time and he hasn’t really had much time to do that.

There’ll be times when he feels like he’s banging his head against a brick wall.

“It’s Alan’s first foray into being a manager and I’m sure it’s opened his eyes. After what he’s going through I’m not sure he’ll want to stay in management. But it was his hometown club that came calling and he answered the SOS, which you can understand.”

Pallister believes that reports of a bust-up between Shearer and Joey Barton in the Magpies dressing room following Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool was the worst possible preparation for Monday’s crunch game, where defeat for either side would effectively signal their relegation.

With both teams desperate to exploit any advantage over their local rivals, Pallister identified team spirit as being a key factor in deciding which team will emerge victorious.

“Both sides are going to be very edgy,” he said.

“Newcastle have got problems because of what allegedly happened in the dressing room last weekend against Liverpool. Is it a harmonious dressing room? I know from my playing days how important it is to have the right spirit in the dressing room.

“Alan has said that the losers of Monday’s game will go down and I would echo that. It’s probably the most important derby between Boro and Newcastle ever. Financially it means so much to both clubs to stay in the Premier League and it’s going to be a very tense nervy affair.”

Pallister claimed he’d take no pleasure if Newcastle or Sunderland lost their Premier League status but admitted his primary concern is to see Boro safe.

“It’s been a terrible season for the North-East which is a real shame. I don’t want to see any of the three to go down because it’s great to have that rivalry and for the fans to be able to look forward to those games.

“But I’d certainly sacrifice Sunderland and Newcastle going down if it meant Middlesbrough stayed up.”