New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater has acknowledged that he and his teammates will have to work twice as hard in the next campaign because of their triumph in the Super Bowl.
The Patriots won the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2004 season as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks thanks to Malcolm Butler's last-gasp interception.
However, Bill Belichick's men face the prospect of a hangover from their victory as several teams have struggled to reach the post-season after lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Slater has admitted that a lot of hard work in preparation for the new season lies ahead for the Patriots in the coming months.
He told WEEI: "I don't think we're going to have a choice. Coach Belichick, his leadership is so strong in this locker room and he's going to leave us no choice. So if we're not ready to pay that price, I suggest none of us step in that locker room.
"Right from day one, I'm sure he's going to be very demanding of us. We know that we're going to have to work twice as hard now in order for us to be successful because we have a bullseye on our back.
"The work we put in last year is probably going to pale in comparison to what we have to put in this year, but I think guys will be ready for the challenge."
Slater joined the Patriots in the 2008 season.
