Jose: We won’t rest until we’re the North East’s top dogs again

Dec 20 2009 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

“All of our games are important but this is a big one (against Boro). Against Sunderland I think it’s a little bit different but Middlesbrough is still a derby and the fans want to win the game.

“I know it’s three points, the same as other games, but I think it’s maybe a little bit more important.

“I’ve only played for Villarreal and Newcastle, so it’s hard for me to say where this derby stands, but Newcastle against Sunderland is unbelievable, I’ve never seen that before. Maybe Chelsea against Arsenal is similar, I don’t know because I’ve never played in that game.

“Newcastle against Sunderland or Middlesbrough is a very important game and we want these games all of the time, hopefully in the Premier League.”

And surely, against Sunderland at least, next season.

Awaiting a warming massage before he braved the elements overshadowing training on Wednesday, Enrique revealed the United squad is in good spirits.

Though he opted against joining his team-mates for their Christmas bash in Dublin last weekend, preferring to spend time with his girlfriend before she returned to Spain in midweek, Enrique speaks highly of the new-found sense of camaraderie among the squad.

Fine form helps, of course, but he has not been surprised by the club’s duck-to-water success in the Championship, and armed as they are with significant experience of the level above, Enrique insists Newcastle are confident about their chances of returning there come the end of the season.

“The team is in very good form at the moment,” he said.

“We drew the last game but won seven games continuously before that. We have a very good team but it’s very difficult to keep such a good run going.

“We have confidence and everyone is very happy, the atmosphere in the dressing room is very good now. We’re enjoying it.

“Last year in the Premier League I think everyone was scared because our position was not good. Now everyone wants to play and train, and that’s good.

“I’m not surprised by our position. Players have left and players have come in, players with maybe more energy.

“The important thing is that they have come to play football, all of the ones who have come on loan or on transfer want to play.

“It’s good that in all of the positions we have good players. We have a lot of players with Premier League experience.

“In the Premier League it’s harder, but in the Championship we have a very good team.”