Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is optimistic that victory over Newcastle United in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby will prove a watershed moment in their season.

Poyet's side travel to St James' Park tomorrow afternoon hoping to secure their first win in seven Premier League outings.

The Black Cats sit 15th in the table, having only won two of their 16 top-flight games this season, but the Uruguayan has earmarked a win over the Magpies to give his troops a platform to build on.

"When you're on the winning side it's fantastic, it's great, the feeling is unique, so you need to try as hard as you can not to be in the losing side," he told Sky Sports News.

"So, it's always special, something unique will always happen and we're trying to make sure that it is from us. There are key moments during the season and we are looking for that.

"Our idea is to go and win two or three in a row, which we haven't done, and that will change the season around. The biggest and best game to do it is in the derby, so it would be a perfect start."

Poyet led Sunderland to an emphatic 3-0 win the last time that they faced Newcastle away.