Friday 16 September 2016 12:06, UK
Sunderland manager David Moyes has challenged his players to prove they are not just Premier League relegation fodder.
The Wearside outfit are ahead of the Premier League's bottom side Stoke only on goal difference after failing to win any of their first four games.
Having just stayed up in each of the last four seasons, Moyes wants a squad he has already said are in a fight against the drop to show they can be competitive.
Moyes said: "I'm certainly up for the challenge - that's what I came for. When I wanted to come back in, I wanted somewhere that excited me.
"I'd like to say this was really exciting, but maybe not in the way I hoped! There has to be a realistic element to this. There is a building job and we are up against it, undoubtedly.
"But we have got a great chance to prove ourselves and we have got a great chance to show what we can do."
This weekend Moyes takes Sunderland to Tottenham, they have failed to beat in 12 attempts and who they have lost 13 of their last 15 away games to.
Nevertheless, the Scot is looking for a notable improvement after a decent enough first-half show against Everton was followed by a one-sided second as they lost 3-0 on Monday.
Moyes added: "I have got to say, the players here need to lift their levels because for too long, it's been too close to the bottom level.
"They need to show this is not their level because maybe soon, some of you people might say it's got nothing to do with the managers here, maybe it's got something to do with the players.
"The players have to lift their levels for us to be competitive. There are only two things we can do just now: sign players or get on the training pitch.
"Well, we are now in a part of the season where we can't sign players, so the only thing we can do is get out there and try to work."
Moyes could select Lee Cattermole for the first time this season after hernia surgery while the retention of Lamine Kone on a new five-year deal has Moyes looking for more from him.
The defender had been linked with Everton before agreeing to stay and Moyes said: "It took a lot of focus away from both me and the chief executive, Martin Bain, during the transfer window.
"But I have got to say it's worth it because he's a good player, we need him. But he's now gone to a level where he has to become a leader.
"He has to become a top player. His contract suggests that, so we need him to perform at a really high level now."
