Leeds United boss Simon Grayson as urged the clubs fans to get behind their leading goalscorer Jermaine Beckford after fans once again showed their displeasure at another poor performance.
Grayson said, ‘The fans pay their money so they can chant things but they can only help players by getting behind them.
‘I heard a few fans having a go at him and then some backed him. Luciano wasn’t 100% fit to play but we had to change the system and the personnel and it worked.
‘I said the other day that I am not afraid to take my captain off or my leading scorer or a young kid if those decisions benefit the team.’
Some Leeds fans chanted ‘Your not fit to wear the shirt` towards Beckford when he failed to put Southend keeper Steve Mildenhall under pressure.
Beckford reacted by gesturing towards the fans. It`s not the first time this season that the two have clashed, Beckford as also had a difference of opinion with Leeds boss Simon Grayson this season when he was substituted against Southampton in December when he stormed off the pitch and straight down the tunnel.
Even Southend boss Steve Tilson couldn`t resist a little dig at the centre forward when he said: ‘The way Jermaine performed, I would have liked him to have stayed on the pitch. Simon did what he had to do and it changed the game.’
Leeds took the lead within minutes of Beckford being taken off yesterday with his replacement Luciano Becchio helping set up the goal for Max Gradel.
Becchio rounded off the afternoon when he scored Leeds second goal.
The big question now for Simon Grayson is, will he stick with his out of form leading goalscorer or go with in form Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio for the game at Carlisle on Tuesday night?
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