FOR Mick McCarthy, the next 72 hours will be the longest and undoubtedly most testing time of his Sunderland managerial reign.

No games against Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal to come, or impending board meetings to discuss the current plight at the foot of the table.

No, worse than that, two weeks of inactivity and, as history shows, when the Black Cats are in crisis the last thing a manager needs is a break from football.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Charlton piled agony on agony and pushed the manager ever closer to the exit door.

In March 2003 a two week break put paid to the hopelessly ineffective five-month reign of Howard Wilkinson and in October 2002 time gave Bob Murray the opportunity to relieve Peter Reid of his duties and appoint Wilkinson.

Sunderland's decision to rearrange their fixture against Liverpool to a midweek in November has worked more in favour of Murray than his manager.

If McCarthy survives the next fortnight then he should, in theory, survive the season. Murray will have backed him to wheel and deal in the transfer market next month - the manager will have to generate his own funds - and with relegation a near certainty that will include planning for next season's Championship campaign.

On the other hand Murray may be clinging on to the increasingly desperate hope that if a new man was brought in now a positive reaction could see Sunderland actually start winning games again.

A quick look at the fixture list sees games against Bolton, Blackburn, Everton and Fulham coming up. Only the most pessimistic of pessimists would say there's no chance of picking up points there, but if ten straight defeats become 14 then there could even be an argument for Sunderland going into their FA Cup game at home to Northwich or Woking on January 6 as underdogs.

The situation would test the patience of many men but in his typically blunt style McCarthy had his own take.

"I heard somebody say they were feeling a bit down this week," said McCarthy. "I said, 'Oh great, I haven't stop f***ing laughing for the last 12 weeks.'

"Of course it bothers me where we are and what position we're in but it doesn't bother me personality-wise. I don't go around with a face like a slapped arse because if I do it's not going to make it any better.

"You have to have a positive outlook on life and if you don't, it's only going to get worse."

Murray may think it can only get better with a new man at the helm. His options of a high quality replacement appear limited with only former Sunderland player George Burley springing immediately to mind.

McCarthy admitted that Murray is also feeling the strain with his Indian restaurant argument with an irate fan still fresh in the memory. He, however, won't quit.

"I think he's (Murray) more than hacked off and I can't blame him," said McCarthy. "I think you'll find Bob is one of those supporters.

"The fact is he's done well for himself and been in a position to own the club.

"The fact is, when clubs are struggling fans do have a go at chairmen, they have a go at players and managers, that's just the way it is.

"We just have to get on with it. I think I'm getting every last drop out of the players and I won't quit."

Saturday's visit to the Valley offered the ideal opportunity to put the past behind them. Curbishley's side are themselves a club on the slide after a run of six straight defeats.

McCarthy rewarded Anthony Le Tallec for his goal against Spurs last weekend with a starting role up front alongside Andy Gray, but the France Under 21 international rewarded his manager's faith with a less than inspiring 45-minute display.

It was only after he was replaced at the interval by Jon Stead that the Black Cats really started creating chances.

By that point they were already 1-0 down thanks to some more shoddy defending. An even first half in terms of possession saw the two sides separated by a Darren Bent strike.

A fairly innocuous through ball from Danny Murphy completely bisected Gary Breen and Nyron Nosworthy leaving Bent free to crash home left-footed from ten yards.

That was three minutes before the interval and three minutes after the break it became embarrassing. Luke Young's low cross should have been cut out but Steve Caldwell's first clearance came back off the post.

His second merely teed it up for Darren Ambrose two yards out who gleefully accepted the gift.

With heads threatening to drop Stead and the returning Julio Arca led the resistance campaign.

A show of determination saw Stead get to the byline and set up the Argentinian on the edge of the box. Arca cut inside and shot powerfully with his right foot only for Dean Kiely to push his effort over.

Stead then set up Justin Hoyte with an excellent cross to the far post only for Kiely to dent the defender.

Kiely denied Arca a second time, Gray had a shout for a penalty turned down and Stead fired just wide after creating some space for himself.

McCarthy may have taken positives from the performance but the Premiership still don't award points for effort.

Result: Charlton Athletic 2, Sunderland 0.

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