Yes ... them students have certainly got their "finger on the pulse" over there in "Uni Land" ... and I'd love to know how many of the buggers have actually BEEN to a derby?
The first fixture between the two was on November 17, 1888 and a lot of water has passed under the Tyne Bridge since (well ... since it was built in 1927 at least).
119 years later and we still hate each other just as much.
So why is it the most passionate derby in England?
Probably because it is between two cities, rather than two teams from the same area. And that fact alone tends to have Cocknies, Scousers and Mancs saying it isn't really a derby at all.
Do the foreign players know what it means to the fans? Do they go into it regarding it as a different fixture to normal?
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez substituted Steven Gerrard during the last Merseyside derby because he was playing with TOO much passion because he is a local lad. "He should play with his brains not his heart in a derby game".
Peter Beardsley: "I don't think it makes a massive difference to the supporters (who plays), because the end result is all that matters.
"It is a lot different than it used to be.
Tyne-Wear Derby Is 'Tribal'!
"Sunderland will have Grant Leadbitter and Newcastle will have Steven Taylor and that's important because fans love to have someone to hang their hats on, someone local, someone who cares about the fixture as much as them.
"But it doesn't matter where a player comes from.
"Nationalities don't matter - the match-winner will be a local hero no matter where he comes from."
"But it doesn't matter where a player comes from.
"Nationalities don't matter - the match-winner will be a local hero no matter where he comes from."