Benson slams Daily Mail’s Kenilworth Road slur

He said: “I’ve definitely played at worse grounds than this.

“Without being disrespectful and naming the grounds, that’s a ridiculous article. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the ground.”

The Mail’s article said: “Renowned as one of the worst-kept stadiums in English football, Kenilworth Road has been home to Luton Town for 108 years.

“The ground has suffered from a lack of investment and still retains much of its original wood build.

“Visiting supporters also have to enter the away end through some terraced houses and a fire escape overlooking people’s back gardens.”

The other grounds on the list are Millwall’s New Den, Aldershot Town’s EBB Stadium, Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich’s Allianz Arena, Rotherham United’s former Millmoor home, Dundee’s Dens Park and Dundee United’s Tannadice Park, East Fife’s Bayview Stadium, CE Europa’s Nou Sardenya, Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium and Grimsby Town’s Blundell Park.

Benson also praised Hatters’ fans after his first taste of the Kenilworth Road atmosphere during the 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town on Saturday.

He said: “They are a good crowd and appreciate it when you do things well and get behind you. I thought they stuck with us really well and backed us.

“Any crowd, if their team aren’t playing well, they’re not going to be happy with it. If you’re playing well and giving it 100 per cent, then they’ll back us and they did.

“They stuck with us, they did get a bit frustrated at the end with a loose pass or whatever, that’s not booing, that’s just frustration.
“We’ve just got to keep putting in performances like that, but with goals at the end of it.

“I think they appreciate the effort put in by the players, so it would be nice to give them something back and give them some wins to cheer about.”

Hatters fans have only witnessed one victory on home soil this season and made their feelings known during a recent 1-1 draw with Macclesfield.

Despite not being a Hatter at the time, Benson understood their frustrations and is hopeful of delivering better in his stint with the club.

He added: “I can only assume performances weren’t as high as they should have been. The only reason I’ve ever been booed off the pich before was because the performance wasn’t what the fans expected.

“If fans see you putting in 100 per cent and playing well, they’re not going to boo.

“As a player you need to put in 100 per cent. You should be able to put in a performance that is going to be acceptable by the supporters.

“They pay their money and are entitled to their opinion. Generally football fans they won’t boo you if you’re playing well.

“We need to start giving them something back with some wins though. I can see it coming, we’re playing well, we just need that final ball or final finish that’s just lacking at the moment.

“Knowing Stilly (John Still) like I do, he’ll sort that out though and we’ll be flying.”

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