JULIO Arca has given manager Mick McCarthy his wholehearted backing and insisted Sunderland's senior players have not forgotten the way he transformed the club in the first two years of his reign.

McCarthy's future has been called into question this week after an off-the-cuff remark about last summer's transfer policy escalated into a war of words with chairman Bob Murray.

The Black Cats boss sought to draw a line under the issue on Wednesday but, with his side on course for the lowest points total in Premiership history, his position at the Stadium of Light remains far from secure.

Murray refused to rule out a change of manager when he was questioned about Sunderland's long-term strategy last month, while the fans, who are also furious at the board's lack of investment, remain frustrated at McCarthy's inability to turn things around.

The atmosphere is unlikely to improve in the final three months of the season but Arca has urged the club's detractors to cast their minds back further before branding the Yorkshireman a failure.

The Argentinian is one of the few survivors from Sunderland's last calamitous Premiership campaign and insists the club would not even be back in the top-flight were it not for McCarthy.

"Six months ago, the manager was a hero," said Arca, who is confident of shaking off a calf problem ahead of Sunday's home game with Spurs. "Now, after the season we are having, he isn't. That is unfair because it's everybody's fault.

"Everybody is fighting for this club. The manager is fantastic and nobody should think otherwise.

"The club was in a right mess until he took over. Then he got this club to the play-offs in his first season, along with an FA Cup semi-final. A year later he won the league title.

"People have to just think about that for a moment. It's easy to forget for them - it isn't for us.

"We are all sad to be in this situation and it's making it very difficult for the manager too. But we are all determined to get back the good times."

Pre-season signings Kelvin Davis, Tommy Miller and Andy Gray are tried and tested at Championship level but, while the likes of Stephen Elliott, Dean Whitehead and Liam Lawrence excelled last season, it is impossible to predict what effect this season's struggles will have had on their confidence.

Southampton and Norwich started this term among the favourites for promotion from the Championship but are likely to end it in the bottom half.

While Sunderland's players have the advantage of having been there before, the rigours of a Championship campaign will still come as a shock after nine months of Premiership pampering.

"To drop out of the Premiership means going back to playing 46 games a season," said Arca. "It's three games a week, it's a very physical league and it's not very pleasant at all.

"Playing in the Premier League means you are playing in one of the best leagues in the world. You're playing against the best players and that's where you want to be as a footballer."

Not, of course, that this season has been particularly enjoyable. A succession of defeats have taken their toll on players and supporters alike and Arca is honest enough to admit that Sunderland are in danger of creating yet more unwanted history.

"At the moment, it sticks out as the worst performance in a Premiership season," conceded the versatile left footer. "It's a horrible season for me, the club and everyone. No one wants to be involved in something like that.

"But we will not give up until the mathematics say we cannot stay up. I can't give up and the whole squad can't give up either. I know what it's like in the Championship and I don't want to return there."

* Sunderland have fined full-back Stephen Wright after his eagerly-awaited return from injury was curtailed by a red card.

Wright, who had not featured since the opening day of the season, was dismissed after 22 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to West Ham.

"There are club rules to adhere to and for sending offs there is a fine," confirmed McCarthy. "I have no arguments with the referee for sending him off."

Read more about Sunderland here.