Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has insisted that he is not concerned by his team's friendly defeat to Sacramento Republic.
The Black Cats' pre-season tour of North America got off to a losing start on Wednesday as they were beaten 1-0 by the United Soccer League outfit.
While admitting that losing the game was "not good", Advocaat believes that his players are on the right track ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
"Obviously if you lose it's not good, but for me it's more about getting in the right shape for the opening game of the Premier League season against Leicester," he told the club's official website.
"We need to get into better shape and we will get there. The result is never as important in pre-season. The players are training hard and that's more important than the way we play at the minute."
Sunderland are back in pre-season action on Friday when they face Mexican side Pachuca in Sacramento.
Jack Prescott
