MICK McCARTHY hopes his old pal Ronnie Moore survives speculation that the axe is about to fall should Rotherham lose to Sunderland tonight.

McCarthy is backing under-fire Moore to turn his team's fortunes around - but only after this evening's game.

Rotherham have had a horrendous run of results this season. They have yet to record a win in 14 Championship games and lie bottom of the league table with only five points.

Last week the 51-year-old Millers' boss admitted his future was ''in the lap of the gods'' after a 1-0 home defeat to Plymouth.

Paul Gascoigne was linked with the post, although that was dismissed, after it was revealed he is a close friend of prospective new owners Mike Worthington and Darren Millington.

But defeat this evening could see Moore's seven years in charge at Millmoor come to a close.

The Black Cats' boss is sympathetic with the plight of his old sparring partner -because his side went through a similar bad patch at the beginning of last season; but not enough to hand him three points.

Instead McCarthy intends to land a knock-out blow or have Moore on the ropes at the very least.

McCarthy revealed they met on several occasions as players and had a right old ding-dong in the process when he lined up as a centre-half for Barnsley and Manchester City, and Moore as a centre-forward for Rotherham and Charlton.

"I think we all sympathise with his situation," said McCarthy. "He has done remarkably well at Millmor and I do feel for them at this present time.

"I used to play against him and he's a great lad and we had a few rough and tumbles throughout our careers against one another and I hope he turns it around.

"But, obviously, to coin a clich, I hope he does it after the game.

"Rotherham is a traditionally hard place to go. It has a slight slope and they do make it hard for you, and the night games there have a terrific atmosphere about the place.

"We have to go there and match them for effort because although their results and performances have not been great, every report I hear is that they work damn hard.

"Rotherham will be sat there thinking 'Sunderland are coming to town, there'll be a big crowd, it's on TV, so lets get stuck into them' and that's what they will do."

Millers' fans have never let McCarthy forget the fact that he used to play for rivals Barnsley before he became a manager and he revealed they usually reserve a few colourful adjectives for him whenever he returns.

"I had loads of heckles - if that's what you want to call them - there last year, and I hope I get more," he quipped.

"Someone called me a dirty bastard but I don't know how they could say that when I was sat in the dugout.

"But personally, yes, I was, and it's one of the nicest things I have been called."

Meanwhile, star player Julio Arca is likely to leave Wearside next summer on a Bosman-style free transfer.

McCarthy admitted there have been no further negotiations between the club and his 23-year-old playmaker in regards to a new deal. The Argentine's contract offer still lies on the table unsigned, which means he will be free to talk to other clubs in January.

McCarthy said: "Julio has had an offer and that's the way it stands at the moment.

"As far as I am concerned he is one of our best players and whatever the circumstances he will continue to be picked for the side.

"The fact he has not signed a new contract does not concern me.

"He's playing well for the club and me and that's fine by me."

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