Lee Cattermole has insisted that Sunderland would need to register a win this weekend regardless of their opponent ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United.
The Black Cats are yet to record a victory in their nine Premier League matches this season, and go into the match against Steve McClaren's men rooted to the bottom of the table.
Cattermole is adamant that he and his teammates need to rise the challenge of getting over the hump by defeating their local rivals.
He told Sky Sports News: "For us I don't think it matters who we are playing against this weekend in the circumstances and where we are in the league.
"We need to get our first win of the season and get our season started. It just happens that this weekend is Newcastle and it makes it that extra bit spicy.
"Going into the week we go about training exactly the same and prepare for the game to go on the pitch and get the result."
Sunderland have won their last five meetings against Newcastle.
