Danny Rose: I can handle the Pompey pressure

And the 28-year-old, who yesterday sealed a two-year switch from League Two champions Northampton, called on his new team-mates to give the fans something to cheer about.

Rose will officially become a Pompey player on July 1, when his current Cobblers deal comes to an end.

And the sought-after central midfielder, who ignored offers from other clubs to join the Blues, is targeting a season to savour on the south coast.

He said: ‘The manager sold me the potential of the club, the history of the club and what it means to play for a club the size of Portsmouth.

‘When that call comes it is not one you can turn down.

‘The fans have gone through a lot of pain and disappointment over the last few years.

‘It is now up to us to really give them something to cheer about.

‘Promotion is the goal.

‘I would like to think I know a little bit about what it takes to achieve it having played a bit of a role with Northampton in doing that.

‘Portsmouth have had a progressive season but hopefully we can now go one better and really give something to the fans.’

For Rose, the Fratton faithful played a big part in his decision to remain in League Two.

Having experienced the atmosphere on the final day of the season – a game Northampton won 2-1 – the midfielder was won over by the passionate support of the home fans.

He said: ‘I remember coming down for the game with Northampton and seeing a sea of blue around Portsmouth.

‘The whole community was blue and the atmosphere on the day was incredible.

‘I couldn’t even hear my team-mates next to me because it was so loud!

‘That was something that stuck with me.

‘Seeing what this club is like and how passionate the fans are – it doesn’t come around very often.

‘And for that to be your home support and to play in front of that week in, week out, it is going to be special.

‘That was one of the main reasons why I made the decision.’

Promoted Northampton had been keen to keep hold of Rose, offering the midfielder a new deal to ply his trade in League One – after scoring one goal in 15 games last term.

But having only signed for the Cobblers until the end of the season on a short-term deal from Oxford, Rose was able to choose between interested parties – a decision he found straightforward.

‘There were talks with other clubs but there was nothing else concrete on the table at the time,’ he added.

‘That is why it moved quite quickly because Portsmouth’s interest was there.

‘It was one I was keen to get over the line as Portsmouth were as well.’