Skipper Chris Brunt has shrugged off the criticism he suffered recently at the hands of West Brom supporters, insisting 'you have to take it on the chin'.
However, the Northern Ireland international did admit he has to 'start playing better', although he has been operating in an unaccustomed holding midfield role. Brunt, signed six years ago by Albion from Sheffield Wednesday, was the subject of ironic cheers when substituted during the recent home clash with Fulham.
When asked about the crowd reaction, Brunt said: "It's part and parcel of football. It's nice to be applauded for what you are doing. But when you are playing in front of 25-30,000 people every week, it's not an easy place to hide."
He added: "Against Fulham I wasn't good. It's disappointing to hear the reaction but that's life, you take it on the chin and move on.
"I've been here six years now and had one pretty bad moment. In six years, I'll take that."
Brunt has been a key player in Albion establishing themselves in the Barclays Premier League during the past three seasons.
But he said: "It's down to me to start playing better on the pitch. That was a bad game all-round for everyone (against Fulham).
"Someone has got to take the flak and it happened to be me that day, but it's part and parcel of my job.
"I'm lucky to have the job I have and it just happens that mine is in the public eye every week or so. It's easy for people to get frustrated."
Brunt has switched from playing out wide because of the recent hamstring injury to Claudio Yacob while his midfield partner Youssouf Mulumbu is currently on African Nations Cup duty with DR Congo.
Source: PA
