Sunderland's realistic chances of starting the new season in an upbeat style to which supporters are frankly unaccustomed took a knock when the fixture compilers conjured a trip to Manchester City for the opening game.
With Pep Guardiola widely tipped to reclaim the Premier League title for City, Sunderland would have faced a formidable test whatever the Wearsiders' progress in their preseason transfer dealings. As matters stand, not enough has happened to make avoidance of defeat seem more than a remote possibility.
Recent history also shows that Sunderland do not get off to flying starts. Darren Bent was the scorer against Bolton when Sunderland last began a season with a win, seven years ago.