The Black Cats legend was part of the team whose late surge in the 2004-05 season culminated in the Championship title.
Sunderland legend Julio Arca has sought to give the current squad some advice as the League One season starts to inch towards the business end, warning them not to get “overwhelmed” by the sheer amount of support.
The Black Cats have been in the upper echelons of the table for much of the season but a struggle to turn draws into wins has left them still behind second-placed Barnsley and leaders Luton Town after 33 games played.
Arca has experience of playing for a Sunderland side which surged up the table in the latter stages of the campaign and won promotion, picking up 33 points from a possible 39 in their final 13 games of the 2004-05 Championship-winning campaign under Mick McCarthy.
The 38-year-old scored in the 5-1 win over Plymouth Argyle that season and, given the Black Cats will be hosting the Pilgrims this Saturday, the official club website decided to catch up with him for a chat before asking him about how he feels the team will do.
After saying Sunderland have the potential to win most of their remaining games, he added: “Normally, everyone wants to beat Sunderland because we are such a massive club to be playing in League One. Of course, everyone then gives an extra percent when they play against Sunderland, but I think we are in a great position at the moment.
“What the players need to do is make sure they don’t let the pressure get to them. Sunderland is such a huge club that you can be overwhelmed by the support, but the team are doing very well and seem to be coping, especially since we have came out of a sticky patch of draws with two wins.”
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