Exclusive: Best Derby in Football – Phil Bardsley Delighted for Return of Tyne-Wear Showdown

Phil Bardsley believes Sunderland and Newcastle supporters have “something special” to look forward to with the return of the Tyne-Wear derby showdown.

Former Black Cats defender enjoyed seven seasons with the club and got to experience first-hand the magnificent occasion of the iconic inner-city North East rivalry.

Only 12 miles separate the two famous clubs – and Sunderland’s memorable promotion back to the Premier League now means next season there will be two Tyne-Wear Premier League derbies for the first time in eight years.

“It’s brilliant Sunderland are back in the Premier League,” stressed Bardsley, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“You only have to look at the massive fan-base, the amazing stadium and now there’s going to be a Tyne-Wear derby again, they don’t come much bigger than those matches."

“They’re the games the all the players and supporters look forward too, to see that game again is going to be very special."

“Listen, I’ve played in many of those derbies and lots of other derbies, but there’s nothing quite like the Tyne-Wear derby."

“It really is an incredible atmosphere and occasion for both clubs.”

REAL SCARE

Sunderland survived an end-of-season scare to secure their place in the Championship play-offs last season.

And after a battling 3-2 victory over Coventry City over two legs in the semi-finals, the prevailed 2-1 against Sheffield United to clinch a fine promotion back to the Premier League.

Bardsley keeps a close eye on his former club and one of their former Players of the Season award winners, he is well-placed to offer his opinion on how important recruitment will be this summer ahead of their top-flight return.

Teenage star players Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson have left for German giants Borussia Dortmund and new Premier League rivals Brighton respectively.

But the club have yet to announce any new business in the market despite triggering a clause to sign Roma loan midfielder on a permanent deal.

“When you look at the squad they’ve got a lot of young, promising players,” added Bardsley.

“They’ve gone up, so they can add to that youth and recruit well over the summer with some more experienced players to help them in the Premier League."

“They’ve got players like Luke O’Nien who have been around a while, he’s been a brilliant servant to the club."

“He’s a player you hang your hat on to give you 7-8 out of ten each week."

“Players like that are hard to come by in all honesty, they probably don’t get the recognition other players do."

“He’s been fantastic, but all round they’ve got some really good players and good quality in the squad.”

FRENCH FIREPOWER

Frenchman Wilson Isidor finished the club’s top-scorer last season with 14 goals in 49 games, with 13 of them in them in the second tier which saw him finish in the overall Championship scoring charts.

“They’ve got Wilson Isidor up front as well and he’s got a bit of pace about it,” said Bardsley, who played for the Black Cats between 2008-2014.

“When you’ve got a bit pace about you then you’ve always got a good chance of scoring."

“They did really struggle towards the end of the season, which is something they’ll have to guard against because they really are a young squad."

“You are going to run out of a fuel a lot, but they redeemed themselves and produced when it matters."

“It’s a huge step up the Premier League, so we’ll have to see how they recruit and how they perform.”