AFTER a defeat that felt like a 'knife in the stomach' on Wednesday, Liam Lawrence has urged Sunderland's success starved supporters to stick with them and inspire the players to a first meaningful victory during the Niall Quinn era.

Despite Quinn's call for a big crowd to greet his first home game in charge there was more than 20,000 empty seats at the Stadium of Light to see the loss to Birmingham.

Defeat has raised fears that the attendance for tomorrow's visit of Plymouth Argyle will be lower and that will do little to help the men wearing the red and whit shirt.

And Lawrence, viewed by Quinn as one of Sunderland's key players this season, wants the fans to stay faithful to ensure confidence is not drained from the whole squad.

Even with a sparsely populated stadium against Birmingham there were examples of the levels of noise that can be generated by the Black Cats supporters, most notably on a couple of occasions in the second half when the tempo picked up.

"It's up to us to win the fans over. We have to give them something to come back for," said Lawrence. "We have been playing good football but it's the result that matters in fans' eyes.

"We peppered Birmingham and came away with nothing. It's frustrating for the fans and I want them to stay with us.

"It would be massive for us if we get a big crowd this weekend. Once they get going they are fantastic. They have to be patient because this is an all new set up.

"The fans got behind us when the tackles were flying in on Wednesday and they could be heard at times. It's difficult to explain what that does for you when you hear that noise. It gives you an extra gear and gets the adrenaline going. We need to get them up to that high all the time."

Quinn is working hard on trying to recruit three players with Premiership experience in the next week or so and has not ruled out landing someone later today.

The need for new recruits has increased by the news that Steve Caldwell, who limped off after half an hour on Wednesday, has suffered medial knee ligament damage.

He will be able to call upon Spanish midfielder Arnau Riera, a Barcelona second string player, tomorrow after he signed a three-year deal.

He wants Tottenham's Andy Reid to fill the left wing role while he will find out next week whether he can prise Kevin Phillips back to the club from Aston Villa.

"We have got players here from the year we won the league so we know we still have ability. We need one or two faces bringing in," said Lawrence. "The gaffer will see the right player and do it. We have to be patient and stick with us.

"We have an honest set of lads and we have not got a team of cowards. There are some good players and we need to turn the corner and hopefully that will be Saturday."

Many of Sunderland's 29 defeats in the Premiership last season were suffered despite enjoying many improved performances along the way.

And, after a similarly annoying result on Wednesday, the playing staff are in no mood for the campaign to continue in the same manner.

"We played well again, come away with nothing and it is like a knife in the stomach," said Lawrence. "Bobby Saxton (assistant manager) and the gaffer will do their best to pick us up for Saturday because we are going to have to have a right go at Plymouth.

"We have lost two games already and I am already sick of it. I understand the fans being unhappy but I want them to look forward to Saturday.

"We need to pick up because Saturday is a massive game. Plymouth may not be the best team in the world but we have to treat them like Manchester United and go at them like we were playing Man United."

Barnsley have signed former Sunderland midfielder Colin Healy, who has signed a one-year deal.