There's no point beating around the bush - Sunderland's failure to win promotion from League was a huge disappointment.
Last season was all about one thing, promotion, and the fact the Black Cats came up short was nothing short of a failure.
But there is also no point wallowing in self-pity - and indeed all the noises from the club so far is that they will return for pre-season training, batteries recharged, with the sole intention of going one better than they did last time around.
For the fans, it's also a case of getting back on to the promotion wagon after the disappointment of Wembley.
Let's be honest, seeing the Black Cats wins on a regular basis made a positive change from the last two seasons, and beyond.
Wherever they went last season, Sunderland took a packed away following, and were welcomed to places such as Plymouth, Fleetwood, Accrington and Rochdale with open arms.
There's a chance the novelty could wear off somewhat this time around - but if Jack Ross can get his side leading the promotion charge, you can be sure the faithful will follow.
Sunderland will face seven new sides in League One this season, with Ipswich, Bolton and Rotherham relegated from the Championship, and Lincoln, Bury, MK Dons and Tranmere promoted from League Two.
The Black Cats have recent history with Ipswich and Bolton, of course, but what about the others? Here, we look at the last time Sunderland travelled to all the League One new boys.
Rotherham, New York Stadium
You have to go back to 2004-05 for the last encounters between the two sides, and that saw a double for the Black Cats.
The Millers have moved grounds since the Dean Whitehead's goal gave Sunderland a 1-0 win at Millmoor in October 2004.
However, Sunderland have played at the New York Stadium - when David Moyes took charge of his first ever Black Cats game in a pre-season friendly on July 23, 2016.
Goals from Fabio Borini and Charles N'Zogbia - the Frenchman was on trial at Sunderland - gave the Wearsiders a 2-1 win on the day.
Prenton Park, Tranmere
The century was only eight days old the last time the Black Cats set foot inside Prenton Park for a competitive game - with the match remembered for a key controversial moment.
While the stats say Wayne Allison's goal gave Tranmere a 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round win, Rovers manager John Aldridge brought on a sub to replace the sent-off Clint Hill with just minutes to go. Initially, the officials didn't notice, but then the game descended into chaos with both benches arguing. A replay was mooted, but Sunderland did not file an official complaint and the result stood.
The last league encounter in 1998 also saw a 1-0 win for Tranmere, but Sunderland romped to a 5-0 success against Rovers at the Stadium of Light in the same season.
MK Dons, Stadium MK
The Black Cats have made just one trip to Stadium MK in their history, and indeed have only faced MK Dons twice. Both came in League Cup wins, and both resulted in victories for Sunderland.
You have to go back to September 25, 2012 for the game in Buckinghamshire, when Sunderland were up against it after just 32 minutes when Lee Cattermole was sent off.
However, second-half goals from Craig Gardner and James McCLean saw the Black Cats through to the next round - with a certain Dele Alli an unused sub for the home side.
Gigg Lane, Bury
It was only two years ago that the Black Cats were last at Gigg Lane, when George Honeyman's goal was the difference between the two sides in a 1-0 League Cup win in August 2017. The teams had met earlier that summer in a pre-season friendly at the same venue, Sunderland again running out winners in a game which saw all gate receipts donated to the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
Lincoln City, Sincil Bank
The two sides have not met in the league since 1961 (a 2-1 Sunderland win), but the Black Cats have made two trips to Sincil Bank in cup competitions.
The most recent was a 1-0 win for Sunderland in the FA Cup third round on January 2, 1999, when Gavin McCann's goal was enough to book their place in the fourth round.
McCann had come on for Martin Scott after just 12 minutes, and got his goal four minutes later. Darren Williams was sent off in the final minute of the game, with Kevin Phillips an unused sub.
Ipswich Town, Portman Road
A match to forget in a season of forgettable games, Sunderland suffered a 5-2 defeat at Portman Road in September 2017. Goalkeeper Jason Steele was left devastated by the result, which saw Billy Jones and Aiden McGeady on target for the Black Cats. The return game was no better, with Mick McCarthy's Ipswich winning 2-0 at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland headed for relegation.
Bolton Wanders, Macron Stadium
Zach Clough's goal gave Bolton a 1-0 win in this February 2018 relegation battle, as the Trotters moved away from the foot of the Championship table at Sunderland's expense.
The home game had more in the way of goals - but the 3-3 draw at the Stadium of Light the previous October saw Simon Grayson sacked minutes after the final whistle.
