One important part of Newcastle’s fine start to the season has been the form of striker Leon Best. Despite a fluctuating career before this season, Best now has 9 goals in 19 appearances for Newcastle United in the Premier League. That kind of goals-to-game ratio would suggest he is a top striker, yet he hasn’t received a call up for the Irish National side. A very strange state of affairs.
The pundits, however, haven’t exactly laden Best with compliments despite his goal-scoring form. Matt Le Tissier even said that though Best has been scoring he has added precious little else to the team. He also noted that Alan Pardew had yet to entrust Leon to play a full 90 minutes. These comments strike me as unnecessarily negative and it’s disappointing to hear them coming from a pundit whose views I usually respect.
I am impressed, however, with Best’s response to Le Tissier’s claims:
“I think in a way the critics do help us. Definitely for me, I have had critics all my life and I enjoy proving people wrong. Our start has been unbelievable and we are delighted. When people say things, it only increases our morale and brings us closer. I had shots blocked against Wolves and I probably could have shot more, but Demba Ba was in better positions and I’ve played him in. I’d be delighted for him to score as much as myself. If we’re scoring goals, we’re winning games.That’s the main thing, if we are successful individually we are going to be successful as a team.We play for each other and gain each other’s trust.”
A rational and sensible reaction from a player who is underrated by just about everybody. He has a great sense of positioning and his trickery helps him to get on the end of numerous chances. It’s difficult to find strikers who can create chances for themselves in the way that Best does, yet he still doesn’t get the respect he deserves.
He’s been criticised for missing chances, but barring the Blackburn game he’s been very clinical this season. What’s more he’s a hard-worker, always provides Newcastle with movement and never seems to get tired.
Personally, I can’t see where the criticism has come from. Surely it’s time to start giving Leon Best the credit he deserves?
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