This is a glorious time in Sunderland’s history – or at least it is if only two criteria are considered.
They are enjoying their second-longest spell in the top flight, even if it is rather overshadowed by a 68-year stay between 1890 and 1958. They have a record four consecutive wins in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle.
In every other respect, it is a bleak time.
Sunderland have won only four league games all season. They have begun April with just six points in 2015. But Newcastle United have only taken nine. Even for two beleaguered clubs, it is rare they enter a derby in a state of such disrepair.
Both have stopgap managers, Sunderland appointing Dick Advocaat in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation and Newcastle leaving John Carver in charge as the cheap option until they plump for a permanent successor to Alan Pardew.
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Both have depleted, diminished teams. Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini and top scorer Papiss Cisse are both suspended for acts of reckless indiscipline, whether a senseless sending-off or a spit. They loaned out so many players in January’s cost-cutting that they cannot fill the back four with specialist defenders.
Since Advocaat’s arrival, Sunderland recalled their only fit winger, Adam Johnson, who had been suspended by the club after being arrested on suspicion of having sex with an underage girl.
Newcastle have acquired a reputation for under-funding the team, and their profits of £18 million (Dh98.6m), announced this week, riled supporters, but they may still be a better-run club than their local rivals.
Sunderland have a track record of spending generously, but poorly. Jermain Defoe was brought in on huge wages in January to deliver the goals that will keep them up. Sunderland have only scored once in seven games, and not through Defoe.
Underachievement is entrenched, and not just because these two clubs have gone 42 and 46 years respectively since winning a major trophy. The Stadium of Light will draw one of the biggest attendances anywhere in Europe this weekend. It is an indication of the football fixation in the area.
Interest used to be matched by influence. In his outstanding book Up There, Michael Walker traces the impact the north-east of England had in the national game. Three of the five Englishmen named Footballer of the Year between 1962 and 1967 came from the same town, Ashington. Between 1960 and 1990, 41 major trophies were won by managers who hailed from the region.
Eight of the players, and one manager, in the 1947 FA Cup final were from the north-east, even though the participating clubs were Charlton Athletic and Burnley.
Now? Sunderland could field the under-investigation Johnson, plus Lee Cattermole, who has completed a different suspension of his own for accumulating 10 bookings in predictably quick time. Newcastle should select the former Sunderland player Jack Colback, but he will probably be the only player produced by either club to start.
Exporters of talent have become unhappy importers. Over the season, Sunderland are the more miserable. Over the course of four dreadful derbies when they have been outscored 9-1, Newcastle have more to moan about.
One of football’s great fixtures has become the desperation derby.
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