Danny Simpson - Confidence high

Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson says the Magpies go into Saturday's derby with Sunderland in confident mood after last weekend's draw with Arsenal.

Simpson, 24, was part of a defence that kept a clean sheet against the Gunners to secure an opening day point.

"We've got that point against one of the best teams in the league," Simpson told BBC Newcastle.

"It gives us that confidence now to go to the Stadium of Light with a point on the board."

Simpson added: "We'll go into next weekend stronger and fitter."

Having joined Newcastle from Manchester United in January 2010, Simpson had his first taste of the derby atmosphere in last October's 5-1 victory against the Black Cats at St James' Park, and also featured in January's 1-1 draw on Wearside.

Newcastle could field a string of derby debutants in the game at the Stadium of Light, with players such as Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba all set for their first experience of the Tyne-Wear rivalry.


However, defensively Alan Pardew has emphasised continuity, with goalkeeper Tim Krul and outfield players Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor and Simpson all regulars from last season who lined up for the season's opener.

Simpson believes this continuity will make the Magpies harder to beat.

"The more games you play, the more experience you get, the more confidence you get," he said.

"The more we train and the more we work on it, the more clean sheets we want to get.

"We know we have got players that can score goals, so if we do our job at the back we've got a chance of winning."

From BBC Sport.


Also there's an interest audio clip from from Danny to.

Hope this hasn't been posted already!!

 

Attacking wise we were awful and if we played like we did last week on saturday we will lose. Don't see that happening though if we get a LB and ST in quick.

 

Regulars from last season.... Ryan Taylor... ?

 

first game back, there was bound to be rustiness. Hopefully we'll line up 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 this time and not with Ba and Shola up front

 

If we played like we did on Saturday, we might not score but we could keep a clean sheet. Our CB's were the best i've seen in ages, and our fullbacks were pretty good also.

 

I noticed this as well. Shows how much national journalists actually know about us. Raylor must have started 4 PL + 2 Carling Cup games max.

 

I agree with you HMT, I can't see us conceding. Chuffed that Saylor and Coloccini playing so well together