Boss Alex Neil says Sunderland must be in the right frame of mind for Saturday's League One play-off final against Wycombe, if they are to end a four-year stay in League One.
The Black Cats are favourites for the tie, having gone unbeaten for 15 games and not tasted defeat since February.
However, they have lost in each of their three previous play-off finals.
"I don't want to be in League One but you have to earn the right [to be promoted]," Neil said.
He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We need to focus on this and what we need to do.