It's a strength and we'll keep lots of clean sheets - Lee Brown backs Portsmouth defence

Pompey’s defence has been pinpointed as a team strength – and Lee Brown expects to rack up the clean sheets this season.
Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett, both pictured, have been mainstays of Pompey's defence this season. Picture: Joe PeplerJack Whatmough and Sean Raggett, both pictured, have been mainstays of Pompey's defence this season. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett, both pictured, have been mainstays of Pompey's defence this season. Picture: Joe Pepler

Scoring is clearly Kenny Jackett’s chief headache at present, with his side short of creativity and lacking a crucial cutting edge.

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That record is bettered by nine clubs in the division, among them next weekend’s opponents Sunderland, who have shipped just one goal having played a game fewer.

Pompey have been frustratingly unconvincing in a poor start to the campaign, with a tonight's trip to Gillingham (6.30pm) next.

But Brown doesn’t believe the defence should be a concern.

He told The News: ‘I am really, really confident in the back line, as I am in the forward line.

‘Talking specifically about the back line, I am comfortable. That back five should keep a lot of clean sheets.

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‘Even the boys coming in, such as Bolton, Pring, and you’ve got Downing on the fringe, we have some really good players.

‘We’ve got good numbers at the back which can keep clean sheets - and there’s no excuse why we can’t with the personnel we have.

‘I think it is a strength, the back line will grow into it and I will see us keeping a lot of clean sheets.

‘I say it before every game, this back five, whoever comes in, is a strong area for us.’

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Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett have so far been ever-present in league action.

It has then been Brown or Cam Pring at left-back to complete a stable defensive selection.

However, the Blues have taken just eight points from their opening six League One fixtures, putting them into 10th.

But Brown isn’t panicking over the slow start.

He added: ‘Every time I’ve been promoted, it has never been a flying start and never been a bad start - always a steady start.

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‘Last year Ipswich were top of the table at Christmas and sometimes it’s good to be a bit of a slow burner where everyone thinks “Ah, they’re not that good this year”.

‘Go a bit under the radar and then start building momentum, just keep plugging away.

‘Six games in, it’s not a disaster at the moment. Nowhere near it.’

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