Danny Simpson says Newcastle United's new signings fully understand the importance of beating Sunderland.
Defender says new recruits understand importance of derby clash
Newcastle defender Danny Simpson says the club's new signings fully understand the importance of beating Sunderland on Saturday.
The Magpies have recruited four French players this summer - Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid - along with Senegalese striker Demba Ba.
Cabaye and Ba started in the goalless draw with Arsenal at St James' Park on Saturday, while Obertan came off the bench.
Looking ahead to the clash at the Stadium of Light, Simpson, who played on loan for the Black Cats back in 2007, believes the new recruits know what is required of them on Saturday.
He told the
Shields Gazette: "We've told the new signings from day one what to expect - they've seen how hard we have to work as a team.
"(After Arsenal), I think a few have been introduced to the Premier League now!
"They've got the quality, but they also have to work hard, and I'm sure they know what's required of us in the derby."
Take heart
Simpson believes the Magpies can take real heart from the goalless draw with the Gunners at the weekend.
"It was a great performance from the lads - Arsenal are a quality team," he said.
"They've got a great team, and it was great to get a point on the board.
"From day one of being here, the manager has wanted us to be solid at the back and not concede. He's already shown us defensive stats from last season, and he wants us to improve again.
"He wants to keep us on our toes. We know we've got players in the team who can win us games.
"As long as we're solid at the back, we've got every chance to win games.
"Shola (Ameobi) led the line and competed for everything. We just needed that bit of luck, but it didn't come.
"Maybe last season, we might have lost the game. It was important we drew and kept a clean sheet if we weren't going to win."
