IT says everything about Sunderland's plight that the loudest chants on Saturday were for a player who wasn't even on the pitch.

Even Julio Arca, sitting on the bench and latterly warming up, might have felt embarrassed that the intermittent shouts of "Julio" provided the soundtrack to an utterly awful match.

For an hour, as Arca's teammates pushed back the boundaries of their own ineptitude in this increasingly desperate season, the Sunderland fans implored Howard Wilkinson to call on the services of the little Argentinian.

Eventually, Wilkinson acceded to their wishes.

The ineffective John Oster was put out of his misery and Arca was thrown into Sunderland's relegation battle.

Suddenly, there was a hint of verve about Sunderland's game. Within 30 seconds, Arca's cross had been fired goalwards by Michael Proctor.

So what if the sting had been taken out of his shot by a hefty deflection before dribbling to Brad Friedel?

The Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper had been asked to something more challenging than count the near-12,000 empty seats at the Stadium of Light, and that was reason enough to rejoice.

It was from another Arca cross that the ball found its way to Gavin McCann five minutes from time, though the one-time England midfielder ensured the approach play would come to nought by miskicking horribly.

The game finished goalless - 0-0 was a completely apt scoreline, given the paucity of skill on show from both teams - but perhaps Sunderland can take more than a point from the game.

Arca is back, and on the evidence of Saturday he looks in the mood to help his club avoid a calamitous return to the Nationwide League.

Thomas Sorensen said: "Julio Arca and Marcus Stewart made a difference when they came on.

"They're good players who can keep the ball, and it was in the phase of the game where we were giving it away too easily.

"In those situations you need players with the technical ability to be able to keep it.

"What happens now is up to the manager but Julio did very well, as did Marcus Stewart.

"We came back into the game in the last 15 minutes and that was down to them."

Certainly, Arca and Stewart added drive to a Sunderland attack that was completely devoid of invention.

At this level, no amount of perspiration will make up for a lack of inspiration.

My, how Sunderland miss Claudio Reyna.

It is cruel fortune that West Ham United have just welcomed back Don Hutchison after cruciate knee ligament damage - the same injury that has ruled out the United States captain until next season.

But at least Arca brings with him a spark, an element of the unexpected. Without him, Sunderland are one-dimensional and relatively easy to keep at arm's length.

Wilkinson said: "Julio had a tremendous reception from the crowd and he got into the action early doors.

"He could have made it a terrific comeback for himself.

"He got into two or three positions where a slightly better cross might have produced a better chance."

What was so utterly frustrating for Sunderland was that Blackburn were there for the taking on Saturday - but the Black Cats weren't good enough to apply the coup de grace.

Graeme Souness said: "We think we've dropped two points." Maybe, but the Blackburn manager's team were just as culpable in this poor advertisement for Premiership football.

Clearly, the attraction of a Worthington Cup semi-final against Manchester United was infinitely more attractive than a mundane League trip to Wearside.

But it took Sunderland over an hour to trouble Friedel, and even the late push for a winner lacked conviction.

Jody Craddock was unfortunate that his snapshot from nine yards struck a post and bounced to safety - but Lady Luck is not to blame for Sunderland's dire situation.

Wilkinson has given his players his complete support since taking over, but even he was critical of them in his candid assessment of their limp display.

He said: "I can't question our work ethic. I can't question our organisation. I can't question our fitness or our preparation.

"But if we're going to control our own destiny, we're going to have to control the football and control possession of the football.

"In the first half, our standards weren't high enough.

"In my opinion, we didn't take enough responsibility when we had the ball.

"People on it weren't decisive enough; people off it didn't show well enough.

"You could call it lack of confidence.

"But I think we have to take the bull by the horns.

"I don't think it can be enjoyable to chase the ball to get it back, and then give it away."

Souness claimed relegation would be "horrendous" for Blackburn, but insisted Sunderland and their fan base would be able to withstand it.

Don't be so sure, Graeme.

And if there are many more performances like Saturday's, your theory might be put to the test.

Result: Sunderland 0 Blackburn Rovers 0.

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