Bolo Zenden insists Sunderland hold no fear ahead of a crunch North East derby against Newcastle.
Steve Bruce looking to rebound from humbling October defeat
Bolo Zenden insists Sunderland hold no fear ahead of a crunch North East derby against Newcastle.
The Black Cats were confident of stamping their authority over their newly-promoted local rivals this season, yet at the end of October it all went horribly wrong.
Zenden was an unused substitute as Steve Bruce's men crashed to a humiliating 5-1 drubbing, their worst derby defeat for more than 50 years.
With the Magpies set to arrive for the return fixture at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, the Dutch midfielder is keen to point out a win means more than simply getting revenge.
"It gives you an opportunity to redeem yourself, not to talk about revenge, but to redeem yourself and say, 'Listen, the first one, we didn't really participate and we didn't cope with the occasion'," said Zenden.
"Maybe this time around, it is different for most of the boys as well because we are playing at home and we will have the fans behind us.
"Maybe for some, that will make a big difference and they might feel a bit more at ease, I don't know.
"It's a big game and either away or at home, it's always enjoyable to play in. There's absolutely no fear factor.
"At the end of the day, it's another game. The way I look at it, the most important fixture is the next one.
"In this case, it's the Newcastle derby, but in the situation in which we are in the league, why should we fear it?
"We are not there for nothing, we did get the results, and they are not far behind us either, so it's a case of keeping the distance."
Derby pressure
A seasoned veteran in the art of derby-day football courtesy of spells at PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Marseille, Zenden has seen it all before.
The 34-year-old knows the next derby is more crucial than most, with just five points and one place separating Sunderland and Newcastle, who sit sixth and eighth in the league respectively.
"You have to cope with it in the best way. If you play a derby or a classico, you have to play with your heart because you know what it means for the fans," added Zenden.
"But more so, you have to play with your head because if you lose your head, you are more likely to lose the game as well. It's about doing the right things."
