I'm no liability, says Blues man

The Blues skipper has struggled to reach his usual high standards in the past eight months.

It’s a period during which persistent thigh, hamstring and back problems have affected his fitness and, ultimately, performances.

In a recent radio forum, one Pompey fan asked Lawrence directly if he thought he was a ‘liability’ following his West Ham sending off.

It’s a suggestion he strongly refutes.

And there have been encouraging signs he is returning to his best during Pompey’s last two matches.

Those displays against Peterborough and Leeds earned the midfielder praise from Steve Cotterill.

And Lawrence has vowed to keep working hard to prove he is worth his first-team place.

He said: ‘Somebody said I was a liability for getting sent off at West Ham.

‘They didn’t say that last year when I came in when we had one point – and I went on and got seven or eight assists and eight goals.

‘I helped the club from what was looking like they could have gone down from the Championship.

‘I work my backside off every time I play and there is always going to be someone who has a chip at you.

‘The other week a Portsmouth fan at Fratton Park called me lazy. That is one thing I’m not.

‘Never mind, I will take that on the chin and try to improve all the time.

‘I went for the ball at West Ham which got me sent off because I am competitive.

‘I am like that in training because I always want to win – and every single game I play for Portsmouth I want to win.

‘I get frustrated out on the pitch myself.

‘I want to be better and I want to be the best.

‘I always believe I am a good player and shouldn’t give the ball away, that should be one of my strengths.

‘I am not lightning quick but when I’ve got the ball I shouldn’t give it away and that is what frustrates me but I’ll get there.

‘I just need a run of games.’

Lawrence has spent the past week on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men beat Andorra 2-0 on Friday night in a Euro 2012 qualification match, with Lawrence an unused substitute.

They host Armenia tomorrow in their final group B fixture.

But Lawrence remains focused on improving his fortunes with Pompey.

He added: ‘I’ll work hard in Dublin and even if I am not playing tomorrow I will be running my backside off before and after.

‘I want to do better for Portsmouth.

‘I have still to score – I should be getting 10 goals this year, hopefully.

‘Taking corners is a big part of my game so, hopefully, I can get them into the box, get some assists, get on the score sheet and be back.’