Source: FOOTYMAD
Is Best The Real Deal Or Was It The Luck Of The Irish?
Leon Best followed up his hat-trick against West Ham United with a below-par performance against Stevenage that saw him substituted. Did the Republic of Ireland international strike it lucky against the Hammers .... or can he look forward to more first-team football before the season ends? The 24-year-old is hoping the headlines will boost his international chances in the Irish side, but one game doesn't make him a legend ... just yet. The stats show it took him 15 games to break his duck, and he looked extremely ordinary against lower-league side Stevenage on Saturday. However, Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan commended the Irish international on his attitude and backed him to be a major force for the club. Kevin Nolan: “We have to give Bestie time. The lad’s attitude is fantastic, he wants to do well for this club. “He’s champing at the bit and trying to do well and get in this team. When you have somebody like Andy Carroll scoring every week, it is difficult, plus you have Nile Ranger coming on and doing well here and there. Peter Lovenkrands has scored when he’s played too. “When Bestie joined last season Andy and Peter were on fire, and Shola (Ameobi) chipped in with a few goals. It has been difficult with injury as well for Leon. People don’t see what he has done behind the scenes.” Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni used him as a substitute against Italy and France in the World Cup qualifiers. Will he force his way into the Ireland squad for the upcoming Euro qualifier with Macedonia? The ball is in HIS court.
