But, according to the Mackem based newspaper, Dean Whitehead says his Sunderland team-mates should look around their side and draw confidence from each other when they walk out against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Whitehead told the Echo: "I think we have a very good emerging side at Sunderland now and I think it is only going to get better.
"We'll remember that when we got out there on Sunday.
"I look around now and I think we've got a very solid defensive five behind us.
"You look at the likes of Jonny Evans and Phil Bardsley and what they've brought to the team and I think our defence has really come on recently, to the extent where everyone can have real confidence in it.
"But then you look all around our team and there are players that have real quality.
"Andy Reid has added something new to the side and is always a threat, while Kieran Richardson and Carlos Edwards are both getting stronger with each game.
"Carlos has that pace and Kieran can create things, while, up front, Kenwyne Jones will cause any team problems and the game could be written for Michael Chopra.
"You could go on and on through the side - whoever the manager chooses - because there's lots of players who have contributed this season and who could cause problems to teams in this league.
"It is going to be a very intimidating atmosphere, but we'll be ready for that and, if you just look around our side, I think we'll have one or two players who could really shine in this game.
"We know that Newcastle will be doing their best, on and off the pitch, to make it as difficult as possible. But we just have to stick our chests out and and show them what Sunderland are about."
Roy Keane: "They haven't organised flights to the moon yet and I think that flying to the moon is the only way we might have avoided all the focus on the derby game this Sunday.
"But then I wouldn't want to avoid it, I think it's great and it's the sort of game that professional footballers should really look forward to.
"I know that I always loved the derby games when I was a player and I always look forward to them because they were great games to be involved in.
"I think when you're in football for any length of time, you appreciate the games that are important to the fans and this is the game that our supporters will always want us to win.
"I don't want to play the game down, I want to play it up!
"Usually in match week we don't really start looking towards the game until Friday but this week I've wanted the players to focus on it from the very start.
"I want them to have it in their minds all week so that when the game comes around they'll be more than ready."