Chris Wilder is expecting a tough test when his Middlesbrough tie take on Sunderland at the Riverside on Monday evening. The Teessiders have picked up just one win from their opening seven games despite being touted as one of the early promotion favourites.
Boro have been blighted with injuries in the opening stages of the campaign, but Wilder has not made excuses for his sides' start to the season. Monday's game will see Tony Mowbray return to the Riverside in the opposition dugout as manager of a local rival.
The Tees-Wear derby doesn't quite hold the same animosity of the Tyne-Wear derby, but both clubs will be looking for three points.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Wilder said: "Full tilt. You've seen the games and how they played in the second half of last season when Alex [Neil] went in.
"Obviously it's been quite an interesting week, I should imagine, for the most hardened of Sunderland supporters. Obviously, our local guy going [Tony Mowbray] in there - I'm not sure I'd be able to do that, but our local guy going in there will add a little bit of spice to it.
"Tony is a great football man and a great guy. They're going well and they've got that bounce of promotion and winning at Wembley and carrying it through.
"Every game they've been competitive in so no doubt, I know they don't look at this as a derby but I think it's going to be a tasty affair on Monday night. Full house I should imagine, great atmosphere to be involved in.
"One that - all games I look forward to - but there's those ones through the season that really take it to the next level. Certainly both sets of supporters will take it to the next level, both sets of players will be looking for that win that both teams are after."
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