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) /

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The Newcastle United players are trying their best in training to stay in the Premier League.

Under head coach Steve McClaren, the team looked dead and buried – but there has been an injection of optimism with the appointment of Rafa Benitez.

And now the squad is working hard to grab the points needed to survive.

“Nobody can say these players aren’t trying,” the Chronicle reported that Bentiez said.

“They are trying their best and that is the main reason why we’re positive.”

Next: Rafa Benitez wants a wall of sound from the Geordie Nation