Best Fires Boo Boys A Broadside

Last updated : 21 November 2008 By Covsupport News Service
Coventry City striker Leon Best has hit back at those who boo him at home matches.

Away from home, Best is supported but at the Ricoh Arena, Best has fallen victim to the Boo Boys.

"Funnily enough, I used to say to Kevin Kyle to try not to listen to it, but I understand that it is hard because it is not the fact that I hear them booing, it is that my friends and family are in the crowd, " said Best to the CT.


"For them to be booing me when I play for their team confuses me because I am obviously not out there trying to do things that are not going to help the team or not trying to put in 100 per cent.

"Sometimes I think to myself why are they booing, and if I asked them I don't think they know themselves.

"But I know where I stand now and when the tables turn and when I start scoring the goals they should still be booing rather than celebrating.

"Maybe some think I am not giving 100 per cent because they must have a reason. I would like to know the reason and for them to come and tell me the reason and then I can do whatever it takes to change their opinion.

Putting in a transfer request in a bid to join his home town club last season, many have given some the excuse to boo him and Best feels this could be a factor.

"Definitely, but I think there are a lot of things like that that people could hold against me. "But you make decisions in life, whether right or wrong, but I am still at Coventry and still putting 100 per cent in every game.

"I have still got a contract here and I am hoping the team does the best we can, and I want to score as many goals as I can for Coventry to help the team and the manager, so nothing has changed there.

"When I see fans in town or if I am out shopping it is funny because they always say to me that there is a small number of people who don't know what they are on about booing.

"But when I am out on the pitch I never hear them singing or chanting, all I can hear if the booing, so there must be quite a lot doing it.

"I like to watch football and if I am in a crowd and I hear someone booing someone for something they shouldn't be, I will tell them they don't need to be doing it.

"So if it is a matter of people telling them and getting behind the team, then that's what we need.

"If you look at the massive clubs out there you don't hear their fans booing when they do something wrong, they get behind them."

He added: "It does affect me because when you are at the Ricoh you expect the home fans to get behind you and when you hear them jeering it takes your focus away from the game because you are probably trying a bit harder than you need to score to prove them wrong.

"But I am just concentrating on the team because I know the staff and the players are right behind me and I know where I stand with people.

The cheering of Best when he was replaced on Saturday left the striker confused and he added: "It has got to the point that I don't know if they are cheering me off because I played well or cheering me off because someone else is coming on.

"Basically, at the minute I am playing for my team, my players, my manager and myself, but I don't know where I stand with the fans.

"It is not a good position to be in but I am getting on with things. They say sticks and stones."