Sam Allardyce has admitted there is more pressure on him than Newcastle counterpart Steve McClaren as he attempts to guide Sunderland to a sixth successive derby victory.
The 60-year-old will go into Sunday's showdown at the Stadium of Light with his side having failed to win any of their opening nine Barclays Premier League fixtures this season, and facing a team who ended their own wait on Sunday with a 6-2 demolition of Norwich.
However, the Black Cats have won the last five encounters between the two clubs, while each of Allardyce's three predecessors - Paolo di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat - have beaten the Magpies in their second game at the helm having lost their first, just as he did at West Brom on Saturday.
The former West Ham boss told the Sunderland Echo: "I've got to look after the reputation of Sunderland. The pressure's on me more than it's on Steve. We've won the last five, so I don't want to be the one who doesn't win it.
"But we'll wait and see on the players - only the players can make everyone smile next week. They just have to carry on what they have done five times before.
"They have been struggling, but won the last five games against Newcastle. They don't need me to coach them this week! Let's hope for the same again."
Source: PA
