Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has made his intentions clear that he will do everything in his power to avenge his side's loss in the last Tyne-Wear derby in October.
The Black Cats were pulverized by arch rivals Newcastle United 5-1 at St James' Park on October 31 and ahead of this weekend's return bout at the Stadium of Light, Bruce is looking to respond.
He admitted it was tough to cope following the defeat but said he and his players now got a chance to redeem themselves.
"I do believe in management, the secret is not to beat yourself up too much and try not to get too carried away when things are going okay," he said.
"But certainly the 24, 48 hours after the event were the most difficult, probably, I've had to face.
"The one thing you want from your staff and the team is to respond, and I don't think anybody could argue with the response we have had since, which is terrific.
"Fair play to the staff, they have done their bit to try to make sure we got off the ropes and came out fighting, and the team has done that, which is fair play to them too."
And Bruce feels it is important that his side learn from their mistakes of last time and simply play football.
"The most important thing, I believe, is that we must play the game. The last time, we didn't," he added.
"We got caught up in the occasion, caught up with the media, caught up with the press, caught up with this, that and the other, and the one thing we forgot to do was turn up and play.
"We must make sure we focus on playing the way we have done for the last 18 months at the Stadium of Light.
"If we do that, then I know Newcastle will be in for a hell of a game."
