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Barlaser's On Song Ahead Of Sunderland Tie
Written by Newcastle Utd
Daniel Barlaser had to sing in front of the first-team recently so he's ready for the pressure of Wednesday's Youth Cup derby at Sunderland
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Wednesday night's FA Youth Cup fifth round derby at Sunderland will be a huge occasion for both sides - but Magpies midfielder Daniel Barlaser won't make a song and dance about the pressure.
The Gateshead-born 18-year-old was made to sing for his supper when he travelled with the first-team for December's Capital One Cup quarter-final at Tottenham and he believes Newcastle's youngsters can hit all the right notes at the Stadium of Light.
Barlaser - who scored a crucial equaliser in the fourth round win at Middlesbrough last month - had to belt out a song in front of the whole squad at dinner before the game at White Hart Lane.
"That was nerve-wracking - probably the scariest moment of my life," he told nufc.co.uk ahead of this week's 7pm kick-off on Wearside, where the prize is a place in the quarter-finals against holders Chelsea.
"I sang Wonderwall, the classic. Me, Alex Gilliead and Callum Roberts all had to sing as it was our first trip and I went first to get it over and done with. Do I have a good voice? I'd say average.
"But the whole thing was a great experience for me and it's made me want to kick on from there and try to get myself into more first-team squads and hopefully make my debut sometime soon."
Barlaser - who has represented Turkey at youth level - was also part of last season's FA Youth Cup run, where United reached the last eight before losing to Chelsea after extra time.
And he came from the bench when Newcastle beat Sunderland 4-0 at St. James' Park in the fourth round, with Jonathyn Quinn scoring a hat-trick before Adam Armstrong rounded off the scoring.
"I came on in the second half, which was a good experience, but hopefully I can play the full game on Wednesday and help the team win," he said.
"To play Sunderland away in a derby in the FA Youth Cup is a massive thing for us and hopefully we can take a strong team there and beat them.
"In the last round against Middlesbrough, we showed great character. All of the lads gave it their all until the end and we snatched two late goals to win it.
"Everyone looked knackered but we brought Adam (Laidler) and Kenzie (Heaney) on and they brought their energy to the team.
"But Sunderland is much more of a derby than Middlesbrough. You can't describe how much it means and if we we beat them there... wow."
Respected coach Dave Watson has now moved up to work with the first-team, meaning that Kevin Richardson and Liam Bramley will be in the dugout on Wednesday.
"Dave deserved to get his chance to come up," said Barlaser. "He's done really well and got us to the quarter-finals last year and he's going to give the first-team his experience, which is good for them as well.
"Kev's been a massive part of the under-18s for a long time and Liam Bramley's been involved for ages too, so not too much has changed."
Admission at the Stadium of Light is £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and over-65s. Entry for Newcastle supporters is through turnstiles 57-58 from 6pm.