Middlesbrough host Sunderland in derby of the doomed as balance of power shifts back to Newcastle

Richard Jolly previews the derby between Middlesbrough and Sunderland, the Premier League's two bottom clubs destined for relegation.

Steve Agnew became Middlesbrough's caretaker manager after the dismissal of Aitor Karanka, but he has failed to reverse the team's fortunes. Dylan Martinez / Reuters

There were euphoric scenes in the north-east. Some 50,000 fans stayed behind at St James’ Park to celebrate promotion. Rafa Benitez and his vast backroom staff posed for photos in the bowels of a noisy ground. Ex-players took to social media in congratulation. Current ones bounced around in dressing-room images of joy.

Monday’s 4-1 triumph against Preston North End was their 27th league victory of the season. Improbably, it gives them three times as many wins as their two major local rivals combined. Different divisions bring different expectations but it nevertheless highlights how badly the region’s other representatives are doing.

Middlesbrough have claimed three points on just four occasions, Sunderland on only five and if a meeting with each other seems to present a rare chance to alter that, it seems the derby of the doomed.

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In theory, it offers a chance of salvation. In reality, it may be an exercise in mutual misery. Victory may only leave Middlesbrough six points from safety, but their last four opponents include Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Sunderland may have four consecutive games against bottom-half rivals, but they are 12 points adrift of 17th-place Hull and finish their campaign against Arsenal and Chelsea.

It ranked as an understatement when Lee Cattermole, Sunderland’s former Middlesbrough midfielder, said: “It would be nice for both teams to be in a better position.”

It would. Instead, Middlesbrough are the only team in all four divisions of English football without a league win in 2017. Sunderland have only scored two goals in 82 days, and one of those was a fluke, a corner that went straight in.

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A 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth last time out was the latest blow in Middlesbrough’s hopes of Premier League survival. Matthew Childs / Reuters

The temptation is to say that a mutual inability to win will bring a goalless game. Boro have drawn 0-0 seven times already.

“Unfortunately there were quite a lot of draws,” said Alvaro Negredo who, as the main striker, could be held responsible for some of them.

Yet they were also a reflection of Middlesbrough’s defensiveness and if parting company with manager Aitor Karanka was intended to ensure the shackles came off, it has rendered opponents more prolific.

Boro still have the best defensive record in the bottom half, but they have sieved 10 goals in four games. The notion that Karanka’s assistant Steve Agnew could engineer a revival and become a long-term successor looks increasingly far-fetched.

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Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford are the only Sunderland players to elevate their reputations this season. Scott Heppell / AFP

Six matches have yielded two points, with Agnew increasingly looking another Steve Wigley, Terry Connor or Chris Hutchings, a natural sidekick unsuited to being the main man.

Agnew has changed tactics by the game, showing more desperation than inspiration. At the Stadium of Light, David Moyes has seemed a man resigned to his fate, cutting a downcast figure since his appointment. Sunderland’s last game, the 2-2 draw with West Ham, brought the first calls for his dismissal from long-suffering supporters.

The club’s intention to stick with Moyes in the hope he can plot a path back to the Premier League next season will be tested if unrest mounts. In any case, while Sunderland can talk of long-term plans, their current plight is caused by short-termism, married with poor decision-making.

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As Sunderland and Middlesbrough face demotion, Newcastle United are celebrating promotion to the Premier League. Stu Forster / Getty Images

Its consequences should not just be apparent in the loss of their top-flight status. Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford, the two to elevate their reputations this season, will surely depart.

As the countdown to demotion begins on Teesside, stories emerged that the excellent defender Ben Gibson will leave in the summer.

Poor sides will be stripped of prize assets. They will have to rebuild from a low base, and at a point when Newcastle are resurgent. The balance of power in the area is changing.

Sunderland and Middlesbrough are Premier League outfits soon to be rebranded as Championship clubs.

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