West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson admits the Baggies are having to chase the rest of the top flight after a dismal first few games. The Baggies, who visit Sunderland on Saturday, were beaten in their opening three games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Stoke.
The former Liverpool boss said: "The first three games are the real bugbear for us because we got no points.
"We are going to be playing catch-up for a considerable period of time.
"It will take a while to get back into a position in the table we would be more comfortable with.
"If we had taken three points from the first three games and were sitting on seven now, I'm sure the confidence would be higher and people would be feeling less anxious when they go out to play.
"This is part of being a member of a Premier League team. It's a lot of pressure at all times and that pressure hardly ever leaves you because there is always something to play for.
"In the last three games, two of them away from home, we've taken four points which is a little bit more acceptable.
"Those four points are not good enough to claw back the loss of the nine points in the first three games.
"But I'm quite confident if the team can continue working hard, they won't let myself or the club down and we will get the necessary points."
Hodgson added: "We haven't picked up the momentum of last season, or hit the rhythm I would like.
"But I am still seeing signs that we are relatively solid and I believe the solidity of the team and the quality of the players we have will see us through in the end.
"I am much more confident this year that the depth and quality of our squad has been improved.
"I'd like to think we are every bit as good, if not better regarding the first eleven because the players who have come into the team are as good, if not better than the ones playing last season."
