Five things we learned before Newcastle vs Sunderland

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Newcastle fans await the arrival of the travelling Sunderland fans, who will escorted into the stadium by police prior to kickoff during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on February 1, 2014 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Newcastle fans await the arrival of the travelling Sunderland fans, who will escorted into the stadium by police prior to kickoff during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on February 1, 2014 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle take on Sunderland on Sunday in the Tyne-Wear derby in a must win game.

New manager Rafa Benitez held his press conference on Friday afternoon, and revealed a few things about how his side have prepared for the game.

The Magpies have been toothless in attack, but have also been lacking a tactical identity this campaign – something the Spaniard is keen to work on.

Benitez has to work out how to get the best out of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez, or throw Seydou Doumbia into the starting XI.

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He also spoke about which players were coming back into fitness, but could Fabricio Coloccini or Chancel Mbemba feature on Sunday?

And how important are the fans for the players and the manager when a massive, home fixture come around?

Click through the slides below to read about five things we learned before the massive Newcastle vs Sunderland match.

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Next: Chancel Mbemba could feature