Lee Brown gives his response to Portsmouth hate mob after committing his future to club

The Blues defender has responded to the ongoing flak being aimed in his direction after committing his future to the club.

Brown was on the scoresheet with a first-half free-kick as Kenny Jackett’s men got their pre-season campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Norwich under-23s on Saturday.

The 30-year-old has found himself the target for online abuse, which intensified in the wake of his signing being announced last month.

Brown admitted he’s noted the vitriol which has come his way, but is happy to shoulder the stick if it takes pressure off his team-mates.

He said: ‘I’m aware of it. At the minute people are frustrated.

‘To be honest, I’m glad they’re on me - and not one of the young lads.

‘At times they can pick on young lads, so I’d rather they pick on me and take the heat off everyone else.

‘It is what it is. I’m not too fussed. I’ll just perform to the best of my ability.

‘It gives me a little bit of drive. I don’t enjoy it - but it gives me a bit more fire in the belly to prove them wrong.

‘I actually quite enjoy that part of it. It gives me that extra 10 per cent.’

The air of angst among supporters following the play-off defeat against Oxford at the start of last month has lingered over recent weeks, with a number of different targets in the firing line.

Brown has been among those, but admitted he can understand those feelings at reaching the play-offs in successive seasons - but ultimately falling short of completing the job of reaching the Championship.

He knows the only way to change opinions is by delivering results this term.

Brown added: ‘We’ve failed to get promoted in the last two years I’ve been here.

‘Okay, we’ve been close - but we haven’t got over the line.

‘So people are frustrated and are going to take it out on me, the manager, the club or whoever. They’re just frustrated in general.

‘So it’s a case of brushing yourself down and having the hunger to prove people wrong.

‘It is what it is. Come the end of the season we all want to be celebrating together.’

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