Michael Beale: Sunderland boss says Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray has 'nothing to prove'
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Michael Beale has won four of his 11 games in charge of Sunderland since replacing Tony Mowbray in December
Sunderland boss Michael Beale has said he is expecting a "ding-dong battle" against predecessor Tony Mowbray at Birmingham on Saturday.
Mowbray led Sunderland into the play-offs last season but was sacked in December after 15 months in charge.
The Black Cats are one point off the play-offs, while Blues are six points above the relegation zone.
"I don't think Tony has anything to prove to Sunderland or the fans," Beale told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"I think our fans will show their class because he didn't get a chance to say goodbye, but after that it's about us going there and getting a result.
"It's clear he knows our players, and maybe there'll be one or two who have a point to prove to him.
"What I will say is that there is a lot of respect here for Tony, and I think that will be shown towards him before the game, and after that, it will be a right ding-dong battle."
This will be the second time this week that Mowbray has faced one of his former sides after leading Blues to a 1-0 win over Blackburn, who he left after five years in charge in May 2022, on Tuesday.
The Black Cats slipped to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Huddersfield on Wednesday and are 10th in the Championship.
Beale believes his side need to focus on the positives as they head into the final 14 matches of the season.
"There are five teams within a point of each other, and what's important is we find the resilience and mental stamina we need," he said.
"It's not a moment for panic. I'd still prefer to be Sunderland manager than some of the other clubs in that fight.
"We need to get to the March international break within touching distance, and then after that, every game is a cup final.
"It's positive. We have to go into every game knowing this league is relentless, and we have to stick true to what we are good at. There's a lot of football to be played."
Black Cats need to show they are not soft touch
The Wearsiders' push for the top six is being undermined by their poor away form.
They head to Birmingham with just one win from their past 11 matches on the road.
Huddersfield winger Sorba Thomas said after Wednesday's win over the Black Cats that the Terriers knew they could "bully" Beale's men.
"We don't like it, but we'll have to take it. If that's what people feel, then we need to get rid of that. If teams are thinking they can run after us and press us, and we're not up for the fight, then we need to respond to that for sure," said former Rangers manager Beale.
"It's interesting that teams don't want to play a football match with us, but I thought they were decent.
"We need to find ways of winning more games and going on a run. It's clear that at some stage we are going to have to go on a run to make the play-offs."