FANS' favourite Julio Arca believes the Sunderland players must get the Wearside roar reverberating around the Stadium of Light again if they are to relieve the home pressure which is threatening to blight the Black Cats season.

However, while the Argentinian ace thrives on playing in front of his adoring Black Cats faithful, some of his colleagues appear to struggle to cope with the demands of the Sunderland public.

Saturday's 0-0 draw made it just one goal in four games at the Stadium of Light, and as the players trooped off at the final whistle the fans' boos echoed around the ground.

Arca said: "It's good when the crowd is supporting the team and cheering. When you play at home you need the support of the fans.

"When the fans start to sing and support the team, the team starts to play well - that always happens.

"We've played well recently but this was a difficult game because they (Coventry) play counter-attack.

"Some people say maybe there's more pressure here than away. I don't feel that but maybe some do.

"I think some games we play well here, some games not so well but we always give 100 per cent."

According to the full-back, who has been in arguably his best form since arriving on Wearside from Argentinos Juniors for £3.5m in 2000, Sunderland play better against teams that try and play football rather than stopping the Wearsiders' game.

Arca said: "Sometimes it is difficult to play your best against some teams.

"I don't disrespect Coventry. They try to keep the ball away from Sunderland and play to their strengths.

"Maybe it's easier for us playing against teams like West Brom that try to play football."

The 21-year-old is again enjoying his football after two years that have been blighted by injuries, and the arrival of loan signing Stewart Downing has given Sunderland added threat down the left.

The link-up play and understanding between the two has been a feature of the Black Cats play recently, and Arca is enjoying playing with the Boro man.

"I'm now playing in my position at left-back," said Arca, who appreciates the strengths Downing has brought to the Sunderland team.

"There is very good communication between him and me. He's got a good left foot and he goes forward all the time.

"He's a good crosser and I think the team needs a player like him."

Although Downing produced his worst performance since his arrival on Wearside against Coventry, it was the absence of fellow winger John Oster that appeared to upset the Black Cats' balance.

On Saturday the Wales international was suspended following his sending-off at Norwich but McCarthy refused to blame his absence for the lacklustre performance.

"I thought Alan Quinn did OK for the time he was on but he hasn't played since Norwich," said McCarthy.

"John Oster has been playing very well. I think when you've got someone in the peak of his form, in a settled side, he adds that something different.

"But I think it's harsh on the rest of lads to say we really missed him.

"Last season we would have got done and I'm going home with a point and I have to be happy with it."

* Sunderland will discover today the extent of the knee injury which forced central defender Gary Breen to limp out of Saturday's game in the first half.

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