Manager Steve McClaren has claimed that Newcastle United will kick on from Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby defeat at Sunderland in an open letter to the fanbase.
The Magpies went down 3-0 at the Stadium of Light in a game which saw the hosts score all three goals after Fabricio Coloccini was sent off towards the end of the first half.
The Argentine defender had his suspension overturned following a successful appeal, and McClaren, who has led United to one victory in 10 Premier League outings, hopes that his side bounce back when Stoke City come to town on Saturday.
"Sunday's derby defeat hurt us all and every one of us is sorry that we couldn't deliver you the victory you deserved," he is quoted as saying by The Chronicle. "I am certain that if it hadn't been for Colo's sending-off, we would have delivered you that victory. But with the news of our successful appeal, we draw a line under that match-defining moment and focus on recreating the positives of the minutes that went before.
"Even if you didn't see the game on Sunday, you'll know that we bossed it in the first half and hardly gave our hosts a kick. With 10 men on the pitch we were still the stronger side for large parts of the second half, despite what the scoreline suggests. In spite of the result, training this week has been nothing but positive and preparation has been first class.
"There's been no feeling sorry for ourselves. Just a group of players and staff who want to show you how passionately we care about your club. We'll put all of the positives and the passion into delivering you three points on Saturday."
McClaren's side sit 19th in the Premier League table, two points shy of safety.
Shane Callaghan
