Sunderland manager David Moyes remains confident he has the backing of both owner Ellis Short and the club's fans following reports he faces the sack.
Sunderland are mired to the bottom of the table after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Arsenal, a record-equalling worst start to a Premier League campaign.
The Black Cats have two points from their opening 10 games, a feat matched only by Manchester City in the 1995-1996 campaign.
"I would hate to think that anyone was expecting to lose. I expect to win. I don't care who I play, I expect to win and that message is around for every game. I expect them to win by hook or by crook," Moyes told British media.
"That's always been a thing of mine, even though I would like us to win games looking good too. I don't think I ever lost more than two games at any one time during my time at Everton. I wouldn't allow it. I made sure it would never happen.
"I sorted that out and that's part of me, so don't think I am taking this easy here and smiling about the whole thing."
It was claimed earlier this week by some national newspapers that the 53-year-old will lose his job if they slump to a fifth straight defeat in all competitions at the Vitality Stadium, something the former Manchester United manager addressed.
"I think they were all quashed weren't they?" he responded when asked for his reaction.
The former Manchester United and Everton manager refused to comment further and was making reference to subsequent claims made by the Sunderland Echo that he was not in imminent danger of losing his job.
