Derby Dreads Rise: Rigg's Thrashing of Sunderland Confounds, Upsets Newcastle!
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Chris Rigg of Sunderland scores and celebrates his goal before it was ruled for offside during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stadium of Light on March 14, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) | Sunderland AFC via Getty Images I don’t normally feel the derby nerves this early into the week of a game, but I think that feeling at the pit of my stomach kinda sums up the place we’re in right now with Sunderland. Obviously, it’s normal to be nervous before such a huge game, but there’s so much uncertainty about how we’re going to line up and who is going to be fit that it’s making me uncomfortable.
There are no guarantees that Robin Roefs, Reinildo Mandava, Nordi Mukiele, Enzo Le Fée, and Dan Ballard will be available for selection next weekend, and not knowing is annoying me. I’m sure internally they’re going to keep their cards as close as they possibly can to their chests to ensure Newcastle gain no advantage from knowing which players Régis Le Bris will be able to choose from, and that’s absolutely the right way to approach it. Still, you can’t deny that a lot hinges on the availability of that clutch of players once Sunday rolls around.
That’s not to say that we should feel inherently negative about our chances, though. I saw people bemoan Chris Rigg starting on the right wing again when the teams were announced at 1:45 p. m.
on Saturday, yet the 18-year-old surprised everyone with a man-of-the-match performance, taking full advantage of his opportunity to play some first-team minutes in the Premier League. It’s not enough to convince me that Rigg is going to be the long-term solution to Sunderland’s problems out wide, but it’s a sign that even in the face of adversity, we have players in the squad who are capable of coming in for this final run of games and making an impact. When chances come along, you want to see all of the players do exactly what Riggy did at the weekend, and play so well that people are then talking about what more he can offer us over the coming games.
I’ve never questioned Rigg’s desire and motivation to succeed here at Sunderland, because what he’s achieved so far in his young career is nothing short of remarkable, but you have to think that he’s incredibly motivated, perhaps even more so than some of his teammates, to play in the derby game this weekend. I’m sure he’s played plenty of games for Sunderland at youth level against the mags, but there’s nothing quite like the real thing at senior level, and for a local lad who grew up with a foot in both camps, there’s no greater stage to perform on than in a derby against the Visitors in the Premier League. I know lots has been made in the past about Rigg’s ties to Newcastle – he was brought up by mag-supporting parents and I have no doubt that his household will be a conflicted one this week in the build-up to the game – but his commitment to Sunderland has never been an issue, and he’ll be absolutely desperate to play on Sunday and make a huge impression.
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