'Best of times, worst of times' on derby day (From The Northern Echo)

'Best of times, worst of times' on derby day

8:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport By Scott Wilson

YESTERDAY was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, and when it comes to this evening's FA Cup fourth-round replay between Sunderland and Middlesbrough, two of the author's most famous novels appear apposite.

Sunderland? Given the remarkable turnaround that has occurred since the appointment of Martin O'Neill, it has to be "Great Expectations".

Had the season started on the day O'Neill replaced Steve Bruce at the start of December, Sunderland would be joint top of the table with Manchester City.

They have won eight of their 12 matches under the Northern Irishman, and with both Manchester clubs having already exited the FA Cup, the Black Cats are many people's idea of potential winners.

So does their manager subscribe to that theory? Not exactly.

"If someone was going to be putting a tenner on Sunderland, I would say, 'Keep your money in your pocket'," said O'Neill. "Honestly, that tenner might buy you something in the future, not a lot of fresh air.

"I think we're getting carried away with this a bit. We've got through one round so far and that's it - that's all we've done."We're more than capable of progressing in this competition, but we're also more than capable of being knocked out at Middlesbrough. We can't afford to start getting ahead of ourselves beyond that."

Nevertheless, as one of the most in-form teams in the country, Sunderland have rarely had a better opportunity to make significant progress in England's premier cup competition.

O'Neill's arrival has elicited an excitement and optimism that has energised players and supporters alike, so are his attempts to play down expectations merely a well-worn ploy to remove some of the pressures that will inevitably begin to increase if the current run is maintained?

Possibly. Although spend time in O'Neill's company, and a wistful negativity becomes impossible to ignore.

"I think it's the Irish background thing," said the Sunderland boss. "Disaster is around the corner. It is, it's lurking, it's incredibly negative.

"That's probably why I'm a Sunderland fan, I couldn't have chosen a more appropriate club. That was my upbringing, supporting Sunderland and getting my Crystal set (radio) nicked.

"It was the night they lost 5-1 at Leeds Road against Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final, second replay.

"I was at boarding school and you weren't allowed radios. My mother got me a little Crystal set to listen to the last bits of the game. There I was listening in, it got to the last bits and it said, 'It's been a terrible night for Sunderland'.

"Just then, the Dean walked in and lifted my Crystal set and I got a slap in the morning."

Not exactly ideal, but if anyone has a reason to be concerned ahead of tonight's game, it is surely O'Neill's opposite number, Tony Mowbray.

If "Great Expectations" sums up Sunderland, then "Hard Times" might best reflect life at Middlesbrough since the turn of the year.

Seven matches in all competitions; one victory, and even that against League Two opposition. A host of senior players out of this evening's replay including leading goalscorer Scott McDonald, star striker Marvin Emnes and influential midfielder Nicky Bailey. A sense that Boro's best chance of an upset might well have come and gone at the Stadium of Light ten days ago.

Boro arguably over-achieved in the first half of the season, but reality has bitten hard in the last few weeks and the next month is likely to be crucial in terms of their promotion hunt.

Like O'Neill, Mowbray has experienced plenty of high spots this season. Like O'Neill, he tends to prepare for failure rather than success.

"If we win, I go home, play with the kids and throw them about and tickle their tummies," said the Middlesbrough boss. "If we lose, then nothing. Joking apart, the overriding factor of defeat is sadness. You feel as if you've let people down.

"People go home unhappy having come along to pay their money to watch the match. Chairman and coaches as well, the buck stops with me and you feel as if you've let everyone down.

"It's a difficult, all-consuming job. You've got to put a defeat behind you but Saturday night after a Saturday afternoon is too soon really."

Hard times indeed, yet every game offers a new opportunity for a victory and tonight's match provides Mowbray's Middlesbrough with a rare chance to inflict defeat on Premier League opposition.

"I knew we could rise to the occasion in the first game, and we did," said the Boro boss. "Sunderland have some very good players who at times could push us back, but we managed to see them off and ask questions of them on the break.

"It was an interesting match. It was a bit drab for the opening 20 minutes, but then it became worthy of a Tees-Wear derby. Let's hope the second game is the same."

"Great Expectations"? "Hard Times"? If the campaigners attempting to transform Middlesbrough's status during the Queen's Jubilee year have their way, tonight's game could be "A Tale Of Two Cities". Only one, though, will have a team in the FA Cup fifth round.