Sunderland chairman Ellis Short has expressed his disappointment in the Black Cats' 13th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
The North East side were given renewed hope in last year's campaign following the acquisition of manager Martin O'Neill midway through the season, however his side could not force through a top-half finish.
"The first step is getting into the Premier League – we're there," The Express quotes Ellis as saying. "The next step is staying in it and the step after that is being an established Premier League team.
"There is a lot of pressure, not just to stay in the Premier League but to improve. We're not happy with 13th – not happy at all – but we realise you need steady, continual progress."
The Black Cats travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal on the opening day of the 2012-13 season.
