Exclusive Interview with Lee Clark: Tyne-Wear Derby Preview, Premier League and Championship Insights
Former Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham player and Birmingham City manager, Lee Clark, shares his thoughts with Bet442 on the upcoming Tyne-Wear Derby, how both North East clubs are faring this season, the unpredictability of the Premier League and the highly competitive Championship promotion race.
Tyne-Wear Derby
You played for both clubs after starting your career at your local side, Newcastle, how did your move to Sunderland come about?
Yes, I played for both clubs and was persuaded to sign for Sunderland by Peter Reid and maybe a few glasses of champagne. He’s a great guy & manager but he knew I was not only an ex-Newcastle player, I was always a Newcastle United fan.
Your record in these games is excellent, winning five and drawing one out of the six derbies you featured in for Newcastle against Sunderland. What’s the secret?
Yes, my record is something I am proud of. I would never want to finish on the losing team in a Tyne-Wear derby. I think the key is to play the game not the occasion and play with passion for the fans. Winning is all that matters. Team and personal performance is irrelevant as long as you win.
If you could pick one of those games as your favourite, what would it be?
I think my favourite is probably the Liam O’Brien free-kick over the wall game at Roker Park in 1992. We played terrifically and won that day.
Are you looking forward to seeing the potential midfield battle of Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton up against Xhaka and Sadiki, and how crucial will it be?
The midfield battle will be the key to the game. I believe whoever dominates that area will give their team the best chance of winning.
How much of a psychological boost was it for Newcastle to get their first away win of the season against Everton, in such convincing style, ahead of this game?
It was a huge boost for Newcastle with the win and performance against Everton. As they had not won away since April in the league, psychologically, this is big.
Considering Sunderland’s home form and general performance this season, would it be that much of a surprise if they won the derby?
Sunderland’s home form and general form will make it a tough game, but I expect Newcastle to come out on top in a hugely difficult game.
With the quality Newcastle possess, is it fair to say that if they turn up and play at their best in the derby, then they should win the game?
If Newcastle bring their A game [in the derby], it would be no surprise to me if they win. When they are at their best they can beat anyone in the league.
Newcastle have managed to put in some memorable performances under Howe on the big occasions, such as PSG at home in the Champions League and the League Cup Final against Liverpool. Does that bode well for the away side in terms of having that big-game experience?
I think under Eddie Howe, they have really enjoyed the challenge of the big games and big expectations and have delivered most times. I think this experience will help them a lot.
Does the fact that Newcastle are playing away in Europe on the Wednesday night before the derby give Sunderland any advantage?
I think Newcastle playing away in Europe midweek will maybe have a small impact as the intensity of a Champions League game is huge. But hopefully they will have a fully fit squad and Howe can use that squad to his disposal for two huge games.
If you could pick one player from each side, who is going to be absolutely vital to how their team performs in the derby, who would they be?
The two players to pick out for me are in the midfield area and are the two captains; Xhaka for Sunderland and Bruno for Newcastle. Both have huge experience and huge drive and are terrific examples for their teammates.
What is your prediction for the derby?
My prediction [for the derby] is a 1-0 Newcastle win.
Newcastle United
Why do you think Newcastle have performed reasonably well in the cup competitions this season but have struggled for consistency in the league?
I think it’s down to confidence and the fact that Eddie Howe has been limited in terms of squad rotation, particularly in the striker positions. That’s made it difficult to find consistency in the league this season.
Aside from the emphatic win at Everton, the away form has been really poor. What do you put that down to?
Hopefully, the magnificent performance and result against Everton will give them confidence. I think the away form has been tough because of the style of play, with Woltemade wanting to be a link player and not having an out-and-out number 9 focal point to play high-tempo counter-attacking football.
Is finishing in one of the Champions League spots still a realistic aim?
Yes, finishing in one of the Champions League spots is still possible. With them only being five points off the top four, a run of wins can change everything.
When Yoane Wissa returns from injury, do you see Eddie Howe changing formation to accommodate him and Nick Woltemade in the same side?
I 100% believe Wissa and Woltemade can play together in this Newcastle team, as they have different assets that complement each other. Wissa’s return will give Eddie Howe great scope to change the formation and tactics. It will also give the team another weapon in the attacking areas.
Who out of the summer signings has impressed you most?
Out of the summer signings, Malick Thiaw has been outstanding. But I think all of the summer signings will eventually make huge contributions moving forward.
A big positive in recent weeks has been the return of both Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. If they can both stay fit, could they make it in England’s World Cup squad in the summer?
It’s been a huge boost to have both Livramento & Hall back in the side. They have so many top qualities, and both will be looking for strong seasons to hopefully take their places in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Where does Sandro Tonali rank in terms of the best midfielders in the Premier League?
Sandro Tonali is right up there with the best central midfield players in the Premier League. He is an old-fashioned box-to-box midfielder who can run, pass, tackle, score, and assist. I love watching him play up close, as he is a top player.
Do you think Tonali’s comments recently, in which he said he doesn’t want to say he’ll be here for 10 years and in two, three, four or five years possibly be gone, were blown out of proportion or cause for concern?
I think his comments were completely blown out of proportion. He is a top midfielder so it’s only natural that he will have many elite clubs interested in him.
As a manager, you’ve always provided opportunities for young players, do you think Lewis Miley has been given enough first-team football this season?
Lewis Miley is a superb young talent. We forget how young he is even though it seems he’s been around for so long. He is starting to bring more to his game and express himself with goals and assists. He has an amazing future ahead of him. He’s obviously competing with top-level midfielders in the form of Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton, but these players will also be helping him massively.
Does last season’s Carabao Cup win, along with everything else he’s achieved at the club, put Eddie Howe ahead of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson as Newcastle’s best manager in the modern era?
With what Eddie Howe has achieved at the club, including the Champions League qualifications and that elusive domestic trophy, I think there’s a strong case for putting him ahead of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson in the modern era. However, let’s not forget what those guys did for Newcastle United.
Do you see Howe remaining at the club for at least a few more seasons, despite almost constant speculation around the England job?
I think Eddie Howe loves and appreciates being Newcastle manager, and his relationship with the fans is amazing. So, yes, I see him wanting to stay for a long time and being even more successful.
When the current owners arrived, there was an expectation that Newcastle would become the next Manchester City. PSR, however, has prevented them from being able to compete with the top clubs in terms of transfer fees and wages. Do you think they will ever challenge for the biggest honours, and if so, how long do you think it will take for them to potentially be serious contenders?
Yes, the dreaded PSR. We have very ambitious owners and a very ambitious manager. PSR has restricted us in making strides to becoming Premier League winners. I do eventually believe, though, that we can become this club.
Newcastle play another one of your former clubs, Fulham, in the League Cup quarter-final at St James’ Park in two weeks’ time. How are you expecting that one to go?
It’s a tough one for me personally, but I see Newcastle coming out victorious with their home form being so strong.
Sunderland
Has Granit Xhaka been the Premier League signing of the season?
He has been an outstanding signing. His ability and experience, coupled with the fact that he knows the league so well, has been huge for Sunderland.
Considering where they are in the league table, what’s a realistic aim for them this season?
With the start Sunderland have made, I would say a realistic aim is top 10. Remember, they lose 7 or 8 players to the African Cup of Nations in December and possibly into January so that could play a big part in their season.
They signed 14 players in the summer transfer window, how much credit does Regis Le Bris deserve for building an effective team in such a short time frame?
Their summer recruitment drive was very impressive and showed their ambition about wanting to stay in Premier League. I think their head coach, Regis Le Bris, has to be complimented on how he has built a brand new squad basically.
Sunderland are unbeaten at home in the league this season, a run that included a draw against Arsenal, do you think the Stadium of Light has already become a place teams in the Premier League fear visiting?
Sunderland’s home form has been superb and this is why they have made an impressive start to the season. It’s always about your home form as a newly promoted club.
Fulham
Marco Silva is actually the third-longest serving Premier League manager behind Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, what do you think of the job he’s done at Craven Cottage?
Marco Silva has been an outstanding manager for Fulham and it’s no surprise he’s been there for a long period.
Their form has improved recently after hovering above the relegation zone for most of the campaign, can they still have a good season?
Yes, I think they can. I also think they will look to spend in January as they did not do too much business in the summer.
Premier League
Newcastle fans have no doubt enjoyed seeing Alexander Isak struggle in a Liverpool shirt, but do you think it’s just a matter of time before he hits form?
His form has certainly brought joy to Newcastle fans, but lets get it right, he is a top striker and I think he will show his qualities again sooner rather than later.
Is there any chance Arne Slot could be sacked this season?
You can never say never in football about sackings, but I don’t think he will be sacked. He is a top coach, and Liverpool do not act hastily in sacking managers.
Apologies for the reminder but you were part of a Newcastle side that famously lost out on the title in 1996 after racing into a strong lead at the top of the table, do you think there’s any danger a similar thing could happen to Arsenal?
Thanks for reminding me of that. I NEVER FORGET IT. Arsenal look fantastic at the moment but you can never write off Pep & Man City because they are winners and have won the league before, so they know what’s required.
There’s been a shift in style in the Premier League over recent seasons from a possession-based philosophy with teams playing out from the back to a more direct approach, in which set pieces have become integral. What are your thoughts on this?
Yes, football has gone full circle with more direct football and set pieces etc. I think it’s showing that managers and fans want to see winning football and not just attractive football. Of course, doing both is what everyone wants but this is not always possible.
You played in the same team as the all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, Alan Shearer. Is it now a matter of when, not if, Erling Haaland breaks his record?
Erling Haaland, WOW. What can you say? To reach 100 Premier League goals in 111 games is just phenomenal. If he stays in England for a long period then yes, unfortunately he will break Alan Shearer’s record.
Have we really seen any improvement in Manchester United under Ruben Amorim?
I think we have seen some improvement in Man Utd this season but nothing major. Their new signings have made an impact but they are still a distance off the squads they used to have under Sir Alex Ferguson.
There are already people questioning whether Thomas Frank is the right man for Spurs, particularly after their performance in the North London derby, is that fair?
I think it’s crazy that Thomas Frank is being questioned at Spurs. He is a TOP coach who everyone admired at Brentford. It takes time to change mindset and philosophy etc and the answer can never be just changing the manager.
Championship
Your son, Bobby, is on loan at Derby County from Red Bull Salzburg. How is he finding life in the Championship?
Bobby is loving being back in the UK to play his football. He is loving it at Derby County and is enjoying the challenge of the MAD championship.
Derby’s impressive form of late means they are currently just a few points outside the play-off positions. After finishing 19th in the Championship last season, what would represent success for the club this campaign?
Derby’s current form shows they are a good squad of players and have a top manager in John Eustace. I think success this season is improving on last season, when they finished 19th. Because of how tight things are in Championship, they’ve got to keep aiming for the play-offs and see what happens. I wish them well.
Birmingham City have more than held their own in the division after being promoted as League One Champions last season. With their financial backing, do you think they can become a Premier League club sooner rather than later?
Birmingham City is a great story at the moment. They are a club on the up with fantastic owners (eventually), a brilliant manager and superb fans who deserve Premier League football. I hope they can get there soon.
Coventry City are absolutely flying at the top of the Championship. Can you see anyone catching them?
Coventry look like a fantastic team. Frank Lampard has done an amazing job there by building an exciting team that scores goals at will. I expect Coventry to win the championship.
Notes for editors
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