Brown eyeing survival

Brown: Eyeing survival

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Michael Brown is remaining fully focused on helping Portsmouth achieve Premier League safety this term.

Pompey currently sit rock bottom of the top flight after a dreadful start to the campaign, with just four points from their opening ten games.

But results have improved of late, with four points from their last three games, while Paul Hart's side also beat Stoke 4-0 in the Carling Cup in midweek.

Victory over Brown's old club Wigan at Fratton Park on Saturday could be enough to lift Pompey away from the foot of the table, but the midfielder is focused only on achieving safety.

He said: "To me, it's just another step closer to fourth bottom. I think that's where I'm aiming.

"Whether we're bottom, second bottom or third bottom doesn't matter to me. It's about bridging that gap to fourth bottom and we need some valuable points towards getting that.

Long way

"There is a long way to go. We are five points behind and there are 20-odd games to go.

"So we're far from adrift and there are some big games to come - Blackburn, Stoke and Wigan on Saturday as well.

"There are some great games against teams around us and that is where we have to do well."

Brown believes Pompey have the quality and depth in the squad to achieve safety.

He added: "I've been in teams that have struggled for the last few years but if you look at our squad, I think it gives us a good chance.

"If you look at all the other teams down there and speak to other lads that are in that block of teams, which is the same every year, they're all sat there saying 'it could be us',

"I think there are teams to be had for us this year and I think we can get out of it."

Pain

Despite having close shaves with Tottenham, Fulham and Wigan in recent years, Brown has only ever been relegated with his first club Manchester City back in 1996 and knows the pain involved.

He said: "I was young and it probably changed my career for a few years. It's devastating and you see the knock-on effect it has.

"Man City was financially stable but it just knocks the stuffing out of everybody when it happens.

"I think there is a long way to go (for Portsmouth).

"Yes, we understand the points we have got, but we're still confident we can get out of it."

Pompey's spirits were given a massive lift in midweek following their 4-0 Carling Cup win over Stoke, courtesy of goals from Frederic Piquionne (2), Danny Webber and Kanu.

Brown said: "Something we need to work on is goals. We have a look on the videos quite often and try to see where we could improve in scoring situations.

"We'll keep doing that but it was nice Freddie got a couple of goals and Danny Webber came on with a fantastic finish."