Monday 22 August 2016 13:25, UK
David Moyes admits Sunderland are likely to find themselves in another Premier League relegation battle this season.
Moyes, who replaced Sam Allardyce at the Stadium of Light when he left to manage England, watched his side lose 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday.
That was Sunderland's second 2-1 defeat of the season, following a loss by the same scoreline at Manchester City on the opening weekend.
And Moyes says there will be "no dramatic change" from the club's position in recent years as Premier League relegation fighters.
Asked what his response would be to fans who fear another survival scrap, Moyes said: "Well, they would probably be right because that's where they've been every other year for the last four years, so why would it suddenly change?
"I think it will be, I don't think you can hide the facts, that will be the case, yes. People will be flat because they are hoping that something is going to dramatically change - it can't dramatically change, it can't."
Moyes went into the game having already lost central defender Younes Kaboul to Watford and facing a battle to hang on to Everton target Lamine Kone, who was missing with a back injury.
To make matters worse, skipper John O'Shea succumbed to a groin problem, which could yet have repercussions for the Republic of Ireland as they prepare to launch their World Cup qualifying campaign, in between the two first-half Cristhian Stuani goals which ultimately handed Boro the points.
The Black Cats now face a race against the clock to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes with the manager admitting recruiting the right men at the right price is proving difficult.
He said: "What we have got, we are having to add to it with young players as well as one or two experienced players, and we have got to try to get the balance right and obviously choose and get the right players at the right price in the transfer market.
"That's actually quite difficult. It's easy said, but it's not that easy and the prices, as you can imagine, are a bit more than they have been in the past."
