PRESSURE is mounting on Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach ahead of Sunderland's visit to the bet365 Stadium on Sunday.

Stoke only appointed the former Norwich City coach in September after sacking previous boss Steven Schumacher, but the Potters are winless in eight and the fans turned on the head coach during the 2-0 defeat away at 10-man Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Stoke are 19th, just three points above the relegation zone, and now face a brutal flurry of fixtures, with games against Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley to come in the next nine days.

“We know what the situation is,” said Pelach after the weekend defeat to the Owls.

“We've been in football for a long time to know, but it's not the time for crying. It's the time for getting back out on the pitch and standing tall at our home.

"If we give them [the fans] something to start with, they'll back us. Leeds is a tough one, probably the toughest in this league, but we will fight and we will not give up.

"I am not going to put any player on the pitch who gives up. I want the players to represent me. I know what the Boxing Day game means in England, it's a big, big day and we need to step up and stand up."

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Pelach, who has only won three games so far, added: "Of course I am (prepared to fight). I don't have any doubts about this. I am clear in my mind. My heart is with Stoke City, my project is here and I want to fight.

"I want my players to fight for me and I know they will do because they come to me and I know the connection that we have. It's not because they are not trying but there is something for us to learn here. That's how I take it.

"I'm going to work tonight as much as I've worked the other days and I'll work tomorrow again and the day after and Boxing Day we will go against Leeds."

Sunderland beat Stoke 2-1 in the Championship at the Stadium of Light earlier this month and are also facing the Potters in the FA Cup third round early in January.