Phil Parkinson is relishing the expectation that comes with taking charge of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats boss will lead out the team on home turf for the first time on Tuesday evening, as Tranmere Rovers travel to Wearside in Sky Bet League One (KO 7pm).
Last season, Parkinson shouldered the pressure that came with managing a football club on a downward spiral, with players and staff often going unpaid throughout a difficult season on and off the pitch at Bolton Wanderers.
Just a few months later, Sunderland’s new manager will lead out the Lads in front of 30,000 expectant supporters – and he can’t wait.
“At Bolton, Steve [Parkin] and I were dealing with players and staff that hadn’t been paid for five months – they weren’t able to pay their bills and they were struggling – and that’s pressure,” he explained.
“This is an enjoyable expectation and we have to thrive on fulfilling it, and when you have gone through what we did last season, believe you me, I am relishing tomorrow night.
“I really want to give the supporters a performance where they can get out of their seats and get right behind the lads, because the players and the coaching staff are important, but the supporters are also part of that team.
“To keep this club progressing and get it back to where it belongs, it’s going to take every single person to play their part, so I’m asking the supporters to get right behind the lads and give us a real lift.”
Parkinson’s first game in charge ended in defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, with the new boss having little time to inject fresh ideas and a new approach into the group.
But the Sunderland manager isn’t one for excuses, and he insists that his players will be raring to go come 7.45pm on Tuesday evening.
“The lads looked in a good place today [during training],” he continued. “It’s always a long journey back when you don’t get a result, but we are ready.
“We have had limited time with the lads and there has been a careful balance to strike, as we want to get some work into them, but we don’t want to leave their legs on the training pitch.”
He added: “The most important thing is that they feel free and play with a real drive.
“Tranmere will probably try to slow it down and make it as difficult as possible, but we understand that and that’s the job.
“I want us to play with energy and I want us to be on the front foot – I want us to take the game to them."