Zola - Lay off Boa Morte

Gianfranco Zola has told West Ham supporters to show more respect to Luis Boa Morte. Boa Morte was booed by a section of the Upton Park crowd when he was substituted during West Ham's draw against Middlesbrough on Saturday.Zola has been surprised by the treatment Boa Morte has received as he regards the Portuguese forward as a fine player with an excellent attitude.The Hammers manager feels Boa Morte has been unsettled by the criticism and has urged the fans to stop."I just don't understand the boos from the fans for him. He has been fantastic for us and every time he has played he has done a fantastic job for the team," Zola said in The Sun."In the dressing room he has been great, too."Every manager wants a player like him in their squad."He does not deserve the treatment he is getting right now and, of course, it affects him - it would affect anybody."Hull City agreed a deal to sign Boa Morte last month but he rejected the move and Zola was pleased to keep him."Luis wanted to prove he can be useful rather than leave. He has my utmost respect," said Zola.

Source: SKY_Sports