Gutierrez saw at first-hand the TRUE North East derby in last term’s 2-1 loss at the Stadium Of Shite in a painful defeat that also resulted in fans fighting on the field at full-time.
Jonas Gutierrez: “I don’t need to be told what to expect, these type of games are all tough and physical.
“The Championship has taught us that already so I don’t see this game being any different.
“I’m used to the harder sort of challenges in football.
“It’s a physical game and obviously a contact sport, which I think a lot of people seem to forget these days.
“Providing it is without malice I don’t see any problem with two players battling hard for a ball.
“I am used to this from playing in South America, and you don’t get a more physical contest than Brazil v Argentina or some of the intense World Cup qualifiers.
“We’ve been very good at home this season and all of the players enjoy playing at St James’ so much.
“If we want to stay where we are then we have to keep that up.
“The comfort of playing at home is something that must stay with us throughout the season. And this next run of games can really shape our second part of the season.”