Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat has claimed that he expects the team to be under constant pressure this season.
The Black Cats suffered opening-day disappointment following a 4-2 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Last season, the North-East outfit narrowly survived relegation, and Advocaat expects another tough campaign.
"It's put pressure on next week, but there's pressure on every game," the Sunderland Echo quotes Advocaat as saying.
"That was last year and it will be the same this year. Hopefully everyone understands that."
Sunderland's next game is against newly-promoted Norwich City this weekend.