Here’s a warning to the Premier League – turn up at Sunderland with the same whiff of complacency that emanated from West Ham on Saturday and you can expect a bloody nose.

The Black Cats are a proper unknown quantity this season. There is no appetite on Wearside to navel-gaze about the bigger picture or embark on a recruitment drive that doubles up as an insurance policy in case they’re relegated.

Unlike last year’s three promoted clubs, who turned up and barely landed a jab in anger as they dutifully shuffled off back down to the Championship –

Instead Sunderland have – in the words of one senior source – decided to “have a go” this summer, exhausting director of football Florent Ghisolfi’s contacts book and maxing out the club’s credit card to create an entirely new team.

Focus on yo

See Full Page