'Sunderland fans will show their class' - Michael Beale expecting warm Tony Mowbray reception

Michael Beale fully expects Sunderland supporters to ‘show their class’ when they’re reunited with Tony Mowbray this weekend.

Sunderland sacked Mowbray in December, much to the disappointment of many fans on Wearside but he quickly found another home at Birmingham City.

Mowbray’s current club host his former one on Saturday, giving supporters a first opportunity to show the 60-year-old what they think of him, and Beale thinks the reception will be incredibly warm.

"Firstly I don't think Tony has anything to prove to the Sunderland fans or people here,” Beale said. “I think our fans will show their class, and he didn't get a chance to say goodbye either, so that's natural, and then we'll play the game.

"It's Sunderland vs Birmingham, it's a big game. I think the niceties, which I think should happen, will happen and then it's about us going there and getting a result. Every team in this league has got something to play for.

One question that will be on the minds of Sunderland fans ahead of the game is whether Mowbray’s knowledge of the players will hand an advantage to Birmingham.

Beale is curious to find out that one himself, but he says it is also a two-way street.

"I think we'll find out after the game. It's clear that he knows our players. Maybe there will be one or two that have a point to prove to him.

"What I would say is there is a lot of respect for Tony Mowbray here at Sunderland and I think the fans will show that and I think the players will show that to him and the staff who worked with him.”

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