HERE'S a tricky little question for you: which manager is under the most pressure at St James' Park today?

The common consensus is that it's the fella in the red and white corner; the man who has already seen off four Newcastle United managers (including Steve Clarke) during his time at Sunderland.

But is it? Of course, Peter Reid's position has never before been under this much scrutiny throughout his seven-and-a-half year reign.

And despite his bluster yesterday, any manager who finished in 17th place one season and then found himself in 18th spot a few months later must be nervously glancing over his shoulder.

But what is expected of Sunderland today? Pride, yes, and the sort of irascible display that Reid made his trademark during his playing days.

Let's face it, though. They're also considered prime candidates for defeat by most people - except the most optimistic Mackem and maudlin Mag.

Newcastle finished fourth last season; they could buy and sell Sunderland's squad twice over with the value of their players; and they have home advantage.

(Incidentally, the first person who trots out the age-old clich "The formbook goes out of the window in derbies" will themselves go out of a window - one at the top of St James' Park's highest point.)

Despite Reid's transfer market manoeuvres, they were marked down for another season of struggle by English football's most shrewd sages before the campaign started.

But Newcastle? Well, any team that finish fourth one year must be looking to mount a sustained assault on the title the next, surely?

And with Hugo Viana and Titus Bramble on board, the last place they were expected to be in was the relegation zone.

But after three defeats in five Premiership games, plus Wednesday's salutary Champions League lesson in Kiev, Newcastle are bearing all the hallmarks of one-season wonders.

Remember Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers' steep declines the year after they won the title, in 1992 and 1995 respectively?

And just 13 months ago, Ipswich Town fans were walking taller than at any time in 20 years; now, they're mixing it with the Grimsby Towns and Walsalls again.

It would be mischievous to suggest Newcastle are going to suffer a similar fate, but Sunderland are catching them on the crest of a slump.

One sign of a manager who is struggling to improve a side's fortunes is that he alters the tactics for a big game.

And what did Sir Bobby Robson do on Wednesday?

He clipped Newcastle's wings, moved Aaron Hughes into an unfamiliar midfield role and tried to stifle Dinamo Kiev.

The result? Well, Newcastle dominated possession - but until the belated appearance of Laurent Robert and Nobby Solano, he had no one in the team able to capitalise.

So, today it is Robson - who has never won a home Tyne-Wear derby - rather than Reid (undefeated at St James' Park as Sunderland manager) who is feeling the greater burden of expectation.

Yes, Reid would give anything to taste victory today, and a heavy defeat would crank up the pressure on the likeable Scouser.

But consider Robson's situation. Win, and amid the adulation would be a deafening sound of fans saying "About time too".

Lose, and talk of a crisis in NE1 would be fully justified.