"I think the expectations from last season going into this season with the performances that we had so far, it has been very good," Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson explained as he sat down with the media at Thorp Arch ahead of Sunday's visit to Sunderland.
"People outside are expecting us to win or to take points now basically every game. We also know that it is very tough in this league but we feel good. I think we are confident at the moment, we are physically strong and, you know, we keep building on what we have done from last season. We have got some good lads coming in from the summer also helping us to take step by step. So, we are on a good path."
After last term's impressive 14th-place finish on our return to the top-flight, expectations as Gudmundsson alluded to were always going to be upped a notch, especially after a productive summer transfer window bolstered the squad. Unbeaten after the first five, the Whites finally tasted defeat at the hands of reigning champions Arsenal despite leading at the Emirates and dominating in large spells.
Then, at the weekend, Daniel Farke's team were again frustrated by more established opposition, being forced to settle for a draw against rivals Manchester United although having seen nearly two thirds of the ball, covered more distance and registered more shots on target. While coming away with one point as opposed to what should have been six in the defender's eyes was disappointing, it is a sign of the progress being made both on and off the pitch.
"Obviously, in the two tough games we had lately, we felt a little bit disappointed which was [against] the top teams," Gudmundsson added. "It shows the ambitions we have. I think the club have done some really good things over the last three, four years now. So, you know, it is very good that we also take step by step and are not going too fast forward. Also the signings have been top coming in because you need quality in this league.
"You need to be physically strong. I think we have shown both that. We feel like we have good momentum so we need to keep building on that but also know that you are only as good as you were in the last game. It is important to stay in the present and not to go too far away."
The marauding full-back featured 35 times in all competitions in his debut term for the Whites last season following his switch from Ligue 1, before going on to represent his country at the FIFA World Cup, starting in all four of Sweden's games as they reached the Round of 32.
A standout performer in the previous campaign, Gabi's preparations for this time around were hampered by a hamstring strain picked up in pre-season but since returning to the fray, he has been back to those high standards. The 27-year-old ranks first across over 130 Premier League defenders for ball carrying and seventh for crossing this season, according to data taken from Gradient Sports, and those attacking attributes are something he is striving to continue improving.
"I want to help the team even more in terms of assists. I could put in some goals there also, hopefully coming up. I want to help the team going forward, which was very good for me to get an assist in the Arsenal game, you know, to just get that confidence a little bit. I was very pleased with my season last season.
"You also need to take steps also individually and I think I have done that. Obviously, I started off the season with an injury in the pre-season which was not maybe optimal but I think I am coming through that in a very good way. I got some games with the national team and it was important to get the physical stuff going. Now, I have been playing for some time already so I feel good."
The Whites travel to Wearside on Sunday looking to get back to winning ways after two draws and that Arsenal defeat, since dismantling Sunderland's rivals Newcastle United at Elland Road. Régis Le Bris' side have struggled for results domestically after such a commendable first year back in the top-flight but have found form in the Europa League easier to come by, beating AZ Alkmaar and Torreense and drawing with Lech Poznań on Thursday evening.
Gudmundsson is confident the Black Cats are much better than their league position of 20th suggests and knows a trip to the Stadium of Light is a challenge at the best of times, not least with the hosts looking to kickstart their season with a first win since August.
"Sunderland at home is always difficult to deal with, we know that, so we need to be strong," he finished with. "It is going to be a challenge. Also, we want to have revenge from last time we were there. I think we were the better team so we should have won that game. We want to go there and definitely get something out of it because that will be massive for us."
