Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy admits he thrives on the contest in the Premier League.

Whether it's against opposition players - or fans - Bellamy says he needs the tension to spark him to life.

He told the Mirror: "The worst thing an opponent could do is kick me. If the game's quiet and the crowd's quiet, it's the worst thing that could happen to me. When fans boo me, it gives me something extra. It gives me such a lift. It makes me want to embarrass a player or score a good goal or close down when I don't need to close down.

"My aim then is to try and upset the fans as much as I can. If a player needs to try and break my concentration, that's fine. I'm not a player who lives on concentration. There's nothing personal in talking to players. It can upset a lot of people but I have never, ever injured a player. I have never gone through a player.

"Sometimes, you get the odd player who feels he has to do a stupid challenge to show he cares and get a cheer. That's cowardice to me. Bravery is getting on the ball and showing the crowd you are not afraid to make a mistake. That's what I try and live by. If I am having a bad time, I get on the ball as much as I can.

"Me being annoying is nothing personal. It's what gets me motivated. I've tried to be quiet and if I'm quiet with my mouth, I'm quiet with my feet."