Lawrence's lucky charm

Lawrence: on the sofa

Yeah I'd like to be on every week, that would be nice. If it meant we stayed top of the league definitely!

Liam Lawrence
Quotes of the week

Footballers are a superstitious bunch in general and it seems Liam Lawrence is no different.

The Stoke City winger dropped into the studio on Saturday morning after taking his side to the top of the Championship table the night before.

The Potters mounted a superb fight back to beat Scunthorpe 3-2 on Friday night, with Lawrence netting twice, including the winner.

But there was a sense of deja vu about the whole night as the last time Lawrence was on the show he had just sent Sunderland top of the league on the night before his appearance... and yes you've guessed it he scored in that game as well!

Understandably, Lawrence - who has netted 12 times this season - was after a permanent spot on the orange sofa!

"Yeah I'd like to be on every week, that would be nice," he said. "If it meant we stayed top of the league definitely!"

Title ambitions

Stoke began the season with play-off ambitions but after three points against Scunthorpe, which takes them a point clear of their title rivals Watford and West Bromwich Albion, Lawrence admitted they have their eyes firmly set on the big prize and wouldn't be settling for just a trip to Wembley this season.

"Now we're top I'd say no because I'd want us to go for it, but it can change within a matter of week because it's so tight at the minute.

"We've put ourselves in a good position, so it's only down to us and no one else. We've got a good dressing room and set of lads which always helps."

Keane

A life long Manchester United fan, Lawrence also revealed what it was like to be managed by one of his idols at Sunderland when former United captain Roy Keane took over as boss.

"I'm a big Man Utd fan and he's a legend in my eyes, so it was weird seeing him turn up at the training ground on his first day."

"There was a feeling about the place when he came in that he was going to turn things around. He's a winner and everywhere he goes success follows him."