Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has admitted he now knows the Tyne-Wear derby is 'something special' after getting a small glimpse into the fixture at St James' Park on Monday.
Jaissle was among the spectators as Newcastle's under-21s side ran out 3-2 winners over Sunderland u21s in the PL2, with 5,100 fans treated to an enthralling game under the lights on Tyneside.
A taste of the derby atmosphere
While it pales into insignificance compared to the atmosphere the two clubs will be met with in December in front of 52,000 fans at St James' Park, it was a useful exercise for Jaissle to get a feel of the passion the fixture evokes.
There were scuffles between the two sides in stoppage time and some full-blooded challenges throughout the game, while the 300 Sunderland fans in the Milburn-Leazes corner were giving as good as the 4,800 Newcastle fans who packed into the East Stand.
Building a bridge to the academy
The Newcastle head coach was sat next to sporting director Ross Wilson and PIF chief Jacobo Solis during the game, while his backroom staff were also interested spectators in the Milburn Stand hospitality seats.
His assistant Engin Yanova is in constant contact with under-21s lead coach Robbie Stockdale, and Jaissle has been determined to build a 'bridge' between the first team and the academy.
So when asked if his first taste of the Tyne-Wear derby experience has made him even more excited for the real thing in December, he congratulated the under-21s on their victory first and foremost.
Looking ahead to December
"It was nice and first of all I am happy for the young lads," Jaissle told Chronicle Live. "Getting the opportunity to feel and taste a little bit of that atmosphere and that should give them the vision of where they want to be in a full stadium."
"They did a great job and, of course, derby time is something special and that was already obvious to see that in the under-21 match."
Victory in the derby will see Jaissle etch his name into the club's folklore, and it will go a long way to determining the mood around the club in what is being dubbed a season of transition.
