Crawley manager Billy Smith has united with Luke Anderson to condemn the Broadfield Stadium boo-boys who have voiced their dissatisfaction with the Reds' skipper.

Anderson completed a permanent move to Crawley in March 2000 from Ryman League side Gravesend and Northfleet after a previous loan spell at the club and is one of the highest paid players at the club.

Supporters have become increasingly critical of the Town midfielder who represented England earlier this year at the World Students Games in Beijing.

But Smith insists his team-selection will not be governed by the whims of supporters.

He said: "I think Luke is often our best player. He does what he has to do. He destroys other teams and stops them playing. That's what he does. He is our ball winner and not a goal maker.

"That is the difference between him and Dave Harlow. If I had another player like Dave Harlow in there we would get over run.

"He helps other players get the ball for Dave.

"A lot of fans don't understand that and I'm with him.

"You don't get in the England team if you are no good. His job is to stop the other team playing and win the ball for us.

"That's what he does. Maybe I'll have to make that clearer to the supporters."

Anderson claimed he was undisturbed at the reaction of the crowd. He said: "I love to see flair players ghost past their opponents and chip the ball into the corner.

"I'm not going to be one of those sorts of players. But every team needs a player who is going to put tackles in and do the hard work which is not perhaps appreciated by the supporters.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm in a position where I'm doing a job for the team and the people who pay their money are entitled to their say."

The Crawley skipper confessed he can hear his detractors while he plays.

He said: "I'm aware it is going on.

"Obviously I want to enjoy my football but I enjoy it when we are winning and we are winning at the moment.

"The best thing that would give me and the whole team a lift is for the supporters to get behind the players.

"The main thing is for the fans to use their energy into making positive and constructive remarks and I am sure the lads will appreciate that more."