MICK McCarthy admitted he is relishing this weekend's derby against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Buoyed by Tuesday night's Carling Cup win against Cheltenham and a draw with West Brom last weekend McCarthy believes the Black Cats may have finally turned the corner and head to Teesside full of confidence.

"It's better preparing for a game on the back of a victory, although it was hardly a famous victory. But looking at some of the other Carling Cup victories it puts it into perspective," said the Sunderland boss.

"I'm very much looking forward to the derby. There's been a lot of talk about them. The Newcastle one was slightly muted last time we were in the Premiership but derbies throw up some strange games and results.

"For a Sunderland-Middlesbrough derby, nobody needs any motivation for that game, it should be a terrific atmosphere and one I'm looking forward to."

Although McCarthy insists a derby game does hold a great deal of significance to the players he understands it is nothing in comparison to what it means to the supporters.

"In terms of the occasion, I do not think it can mean as much unless you are a local lad. Unless you are a Sunderland lad or a Middlesbrough lad, it cannot mean as much," said McCarthy.

"When I used to play against Sheffield Wednesday for Barnsley, that was our big game - anybody who came from London did not give a hoot about the local derby, really, except that it meant so much because you were playing at that club.

"But it's great to play in front of a big passionate crowd. I've known shy and retiring players, off the pitch, who thrive in front of 40,000 full houses. The bigger the occasion, the better the atmosphere and the better they play.

"I hope the form book goes out of the window. The expectancy and the pressure comes from the fans.

"They want the bragging rights for the next few months."

With Sunderland approaching the final whistle leading 1-0 against West Brom last weekend McCarthy believed he'd finally got the monkey off his back and claimed that first crucial Premiership win, only to see Zoltan Gera head an injury time equaliser.

"The monkey just snagged itself in my jumper, I thought it'd gone," quipped McCarthy. "The point was certainly a start but we're all disappointed it wasn't a win."

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