Sunderland defender Julio Arca has that admitted that Saturday's Barclays Premiership clash with West Brom is a must-win affair despite the season being just five games old.
Bryan Robson's men head for the north-east having lost their last three games against Chelsea, Birmingham and Wigan to take the gloss off their encouraging start to the campaign.
However, they will meet a side yet to take a single point so far this season and which is rooted to the foot of the table.
Victory for the Black Cats, something they have not achieved now in 20 successive top-flight games, would lift them above second-bottom derby rivals Newcastle, who do not play until the following day at Blackburn.
The Black Cats could do with that timely boost after their promising, but ultimately fruitless, performance at Chelsea last weekend.
Defender Julio Arca has told the club’s official website of the importance of this game to Sunderland’s hopes of surviving in the Premiership.
He said: “It goes without saying that it's a big game, we knew that even before the Chelsea game. We just need that win to get everyone going. We played well against Chelsea, but it's about points now.”
Manager Mick McCarthy has been boosted by the news that central defender Alan Stubbs, a summer signing from Everton, will be available after being given the all-clear following a bout of concussion which forced his premature departure at Stamford Bridge.
Stubbs, Nyron Nosworthy, Gary Breen and loan acquisition Justin Hoyte had managed to keep Chelsea at bay until Stubbs headed for the dressing room. Geremi stepped up to fire the home side ahead within minutes of his departure.
