‘Brown will bounce back’
Naylor tips Brown to respond after costly gaffe in Gills draw
LEE BROWN has been backed to bounce back after accepting the blame for costing Pompey two precious promotion points.
Blues skipper Tom Naylor has sounded his support for the left-back after his firsthalf gaffe in the frustrating 1-1 draw with Gillingham.
Kenny Jackett’s men passed up the chance to close the gap on League One’s automatic promotion spots to three points, after Brown gifted the chance for striker Vadaine Oliver to equalise.
It was an uncharacteristic error from the 30-year-old on another lacklustre and frustrating afternoon at Fratton Park.
Naylor spoke to Brown in the wake of a game where
Pompey could have come away empty-handed as the visitors finished much the stronger side.
And the vice-captain accepted the fault was firmly with him for what occurred.
Naylor said: ‘I spoke to him and he said “I’ve got to deal with it”, it’s as simple as that.
‘He didn’t think anyone was around him and he was comfortable in his decision.
‘So he’s held his hand up and said he needs to deal with it.
‘He’s experienced enough to know what he’s done and what he hasn’t.
‘He doesn’t make many mistakes and I haven’t seen many from him since he’s been here.
‘It’s one of those things where he knows what he’s done, but I’m sure he’ll bounce back.’
Naylor feels there’s little doubt Brown has the strength of character to respond positively to his mistake against Steve Evans’ side.
The former Bristol Rovers man is established as a senior figure in the Pompey dressing room, showing himself to be a key member of the set-up since arriving at the club in the summer of 2018.
Naylor feels Brown’s strength of character has been evident in the time the pair have been team-mates.
And he feels that will hold the former QPR trainee in good stead after his backpass came up short in costly fashion.
Naylor added: ‘Lee’s a great player and a great person off the pitch so I’m sure he’ll come again.
‘He’s massive for us and is a strong character.
‘He’s a massive presence off the pitch and he’s a great person to have in the dressing room.
‘He encourages all the time and is a very important player for us.
‘I’m sure he will continue to show that moving forward.’
Pompey will be back in action tomorrow night with an away fixture against fellow promotion hopefuls Doncaster.