UNLESS there’s a good reason for it, I’m not a fan of supporters booing or jeering their own players.

And when I say a good reason, that’s largely limited to half-hearted displays on the pitch or unprofessional antics off it.

It surprised me a little to hear a smattering of boos when Mark Harris took to the field in place of Dane Scarlett during Oxford United’s draw at home to Millwall on Saturday.

The Lions were leading 1-0 when U’s head coach Des Buckingham made a double switch just after the hour mark, as Ruben Rodrigues replaced Przemyslaw Placheta, while Harris was introduced in place of Scarlett.

There were audible boos aimed at the second switch, and a strong round of applause for Scarlett as he left the pitch.

READ ALSO: U’s boss addresses jeers aimed at striker substitution

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Scarlett has established himself as perhaps the majority of United supporters’ first choice striker in recent weeks.

His goalscoring record warrants that. Scarlett grabbed four goals in seven games prior to the matches against Sheffield United and Millwall last week, an impressive run.

Each of his strikes have demonstrated an air of Premier League quality, and when he hasn’t been scoring, the 20-year-old has looked to bully opposition defences and at times, bulldoze his way through to goal.

Scarlett, backed also by his first couple of goals for the England Under-21s during the last two international breaks, is clearly a player high in confidence right now.

Harris meanwhile isn’t looking as sharp as he was at the beginning of the campaign, when he bagged four goals in his first four Sky Bet Championship games, and was subsequently named the division’s player of the month for August.

Feats that U’s fans would be wise to remember.

Harris hasn’t scored since then, and the form of Scarlett has led to a changing of viewpoints on who should lead the line.

But to jeer a substitution, whether you agree with it or not, doesn’t sit right with me.

Witney Gazette:

I’ll admit that Scarlett for the past few weeks has probably been my first choice centre forward, however I’m not the one picking the team, so respect the decisions that are being made.

United are in a battle, one they’ve not found themselves in for a quarter of a century.

In that time, the second tier landscape has changed dramatically. The quality of the top sides in the Championship is frightening.

A number of the U’s squad are playing at a new level, and need as much backing as they can get.

Fans pay for tickets and have the right to vocalise their opinions, and the beauty of football is that it is so often all about opinions.

But in circumstances like the weekend, a goal down with half an hour to go, a united front is the best form of attack.