Boss says minority are wrong to have a go at talented winger if he doesn't emerge from a tackle with the ball.

David Artell has told the club’s official website that any supporters who elect to get on the back of Charlie Kirk is only being counter-productive towards our potential match winner.

Artell labelled the abuse the winger received on Saturday for not emerging with the ball from a 50/50 challenge as ‘disgusting’ and that Kirk's contribution to the teams success this season has been paramount.

Kirk has 11 assists and 6 goals this season and he has once again been one of our most consistent performers so far in helping the club into the automatic promotion places – but for a small minority of supporters that is still not deemed good enough!

Despite Kirk helping Crewe to a 1-0 over rivals Cheltenham on Saturday, some fans still booed Kirk for not going full pelt into a challenge!

Artell was robust in his defence of his talented winger: “It is sure to affect him (Charlie) and I know we are talking about a small majority of fans but it is all counter-productive. I heard someone shout ‘get stuck in’ to him but that is not he is in the team for.

“To boo him is disgusting and it makes my blood boil. If they want to boo anyone then boo me. I can take it and it won’t affect me.

"They wouldn't say to his face at the training ground because if they did I would pull them up on it. I could sit down with them and go through all the things he is unbelievable at and the things that he is not so good at, but he has been fantastic this season.

“Charlie is a young lad and he has grown up immeasurable and the abuse he received from that minority was unwarranted on Sat.

“Those fans have to change their mind set. It’s not Charlie’s problem, its theirs.

He added: “Charlie is a match winner for us and what they don’t understand is that if it continues then it only affects his performance. They should be careful for what they wish for because he is terrific player for us.”