LIAM Lawrence is hoping the boos that rang around the Stadium of Light last weekend will act as the "slap in the face" Sunderland need to propel them up the Premiership.

Ten months ago, the Black Cats were given a similarly frosty reception when they left the Withdean Stadium at the end of a 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

Their response was an eight-game winning run that took them to the top of the Championship table and laid the foundations for May's title triumph.

With Sunderland travelling to Arsenal this afternoon, last weekend's defeat is unlikely to herald the start of a similar sequence of wins.

But, after admitting that being booed at Brighton was just what the Wearsiders needed last season, Lawrence is hoping last weekend's events will prove every bit as therapeutic.

"It's a hell of a lot easier to be booed when you're playing in the Premiership than it would be if you were getting booed against Crewe," said the former Mansfield midfielder.

"The last time the fans had a real go at us was after we lost to Brighton last season. It was very harsh and there was a lot of disappointment.

"We were still near the top of the league, but we lost that game and people were writing off our chances of promotion.

"In the end though, it was the slap round the face we needed to wake us up and go up as champions.

"I hope this acts in the same way, that we can push on, get a good run of results going and get out of the bottom three."

Last weekend's defeat was Sunderland's fourth in a row - a run that includes a Carling Cup defeat to the Gunners - but it was the manner of the reverse, rather than the magnitude, that set alarm bells ringing.

Lawrence admits that the Black Cats let themselves down after the interval but claims there are still plenty of reasons to be positive ahead of this afternoon's visit to Highbury.

"I think we're all surprised a bit by how much doom and gloom has set in," he said. "We were depressed after Saturday's game because it was a very poor second-half performance. But in the weeks before that we'd played some good football.

"The mood is still good. There's a lot of good lads in the dressing room, so one poor game and result does not turn everything into doom and gloom, no matter what people outside might be saying.

"The reaction (to last weekend) has been very bad but the best way to put it right would be a good result at Highbury.

"If we go down there and get something it might not be a case of all is forgiven but it would certainly make things look brighter again."

While Sunderland's prospects have blackened in recent weeks, Lawrence's displays have already been bright enough.

After starting just one of the club's first eight Premiership fixtures, the right midfielder has kicked off the last three games.

McCarthy's decision to revert to a 4-4-2 formation has helped, with Lawrence's fine form keeping out the likes of Carl Robinson and Anthony Le Tallec

"I'm pleased with how it's going personally," he said. "I've got a run in the side recently and I feel I've done pretty well, apart from last week.

"I'm just thrilled to be playing Premiership football and getting the chance to play against someone like Robert Pires.

"It's been a tough week but I look forward to every game in this division. It's everybody's dream to be playing against a team like Arsenal.

"To have come from Mansfield to Highbury - I'm living the dream at the moment."

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