Football is one of the few jobs where you are booed, abused, insulted and subjected to vicious personal insults during a working day. And that is often from people who should be on your side.

But when a player - like Norwich City's Robert Snodgrass - reacts angrily, the supporters are shocked and sensitive.

Fans - individually and collectively - dish it out to players, but then come over all righteously indignant when a player dares to bite back.

It's a cliche, but 'if you can't take it, don't give it' is my advice to the poor lambs in the stands.

I'm not advocating open season for players to imitate Eric Cantona and kung-fu kick supporters. But I think it does no harm for some of the cowards who use the protection of a crowd to hurl abuse at human beings to get a return on their unpleasant investment.

I remember being in the Barclay at Carrow Road when Ian Wright scored two goals for Arsenal after suffering relentless abuse from the home fans. He taunted the City supporters after each goal. And I thought it was a fair cop.

On Tuesday evening, Snodgrass was showing passion, which I welcome.

He deserved better than to be abused. And those who dished it out should either grow a thicker skin or keep their foul opinions to themselves.