So, Frank Lampard Jnr...

[EastSaxCol]

what do you really think ? I understand that he's been left out of the England side against Russia. Objectively, I think it a good thing as the team really didn't accommodate him and ( the better ) Gerrard too well -- they cramped each others style basically-- and Barry is proving himself to be more than competent.

Subjectively, if you just don't like him then that's fine too.

Boooo

[EastSaxCol]

No England victory is complete, it seems, without a scapegoat to provide a side-show for sneering supporters.

Blackburn's David Bentley was the victim against Israel - the result of his late withdrawal from the European Under-21 Championship last summer.

Everton defender Phil Neville also felt the cold blast of Wembley's ire with little reason other than he is, well, Phil Neville.

Liverpool's Peter Crouch has also suffered abuse from England's fans in the past, based on the fact that he is tall and thin.

But the jeers have never been louder or longer than they were for Chelsea midfield man Lampard when he made his entrance with the game already won against Estonia.

And when Lampard obliged his detractors with a badly misplaced pass behind Joleon Lescott and a ball that was just too long for Shaun Wright-Phillips, his stock sank even further.

England's fans pay their hard-earned cash to follow their country, so they are entitled to voice their opinion.

But the abuse of Lampard is baseless and, at times, vindictive.

Lampard has been ousted from his central midfield slot by Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, who once again produced an excellent display, and is unlikely to get it back against Russia in Moscow on Wednesday.

But he is still vital to England's cause and remains one of the finest midfield operators in Europe.

And yet for some reason, supporters who have suffered far worse England players in silence, see fit to single Lampard out as their current whipping boy.

Lampard's unpopularity is a mystery. Is it the Chelsea factor? Is there a strong contingent of West Ham fans among England's support who still harbour a grudge?

Whatever the reason, the very public and embarrassing jeering of Lampard should stop.

If those leading the criticism are demanding greater effort and performances from Lampard, jeering and screaming abuse is hardly the best way to go about it.

You still wouldn't bet against him getting a crucial goal in Russia on Wednesday, and where would his critics turn then?

Sadly for Lampard, his attempts to press his case have been hampered by the emergence of Barry as England's midfield anchor alongside Steven Gerrard.

Neat and tidy, although maybe not as effective as against Russia, Barry still did enough to earn another crack at Guus Hiddink's side.

Rarely squandering possession, Barry also demonstrated commendable energy, covering the princely sum of 11,758 metres in England's cause.

There was little in England's display against Estonia to get the pulse racing, apart from a few moments of quality from Wayne Rooney.

But it was efficient and there was never a doubt England would claim an easy victory.

The only cloud on the horizon was an injury for Ashley Cole, ironic when McClaren may have been considering removing him to save a yellow card that would have ruled him out of Russia.

England will have to play with greater tempo, verve and inspiration to secure the result they need in Moscow - but for now another comfortable three points will do.

And if there is some justice, Frank Lampard will be around when the crucial points are claimed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A27927985

[mrbojangles]

Everton defender Phil Neville also felt the cold blast of Wembley's ire with little reason other than he is, well, Phil Neville.

That and he's ugly

[lazeeboy]

Everton defender Phil Neville also felt the cold blast of Wembley's ire with little reason other than he is, well, Phil Neville.

That and he's ugly

england are right to leave out frank ,he's coming back from injury and england are doing just fine without him ,and me a chelsea fan

[JacknDanny]

Everton defender Phil Neville also felt the cold blast of Wembley's ire with little reason other than he is, well, Phil Neville.

That and he's ugly

And crap

[chavy]

Everton defender Phil Neville also felt the cold blast of Wembley's ire with little reason other than he is, well, Phil Neville.

That and he's ugly

And crap

I was actually thinking the same on both counts

[ThaiPauly]

I don't understand why the supporters who jeered him did so?

Can anyone enlighten me?

[mrtoad]

I don't understand why the supporters who jeered him did so?

Can anyone enlighten me?

Erm....let me think...mmmmmmmmm cos he's <deleted>.

TP, you know how it is in England, every team has to have a scapegoat, and it's his turn at the present time. Personally, I think he has played very poorly of recent, but no more so than some other players, and not really worthy of the stick he's getting at present.

Probably more to do with team allegience, jealousy and a few morons. Although, I will admit to booing John Barnews on a number of ocassions when he was playing for England, but that was perfectly justified.

[EastSaxCol]

I don't understand why the supporters who jeered him did so?

Can anyone enlighten me?

I c&p'd this from a West Ham forum which went on firstly why West Ham supporters loathe him (as if they needed telling ) and then why he thought he got it at Wembley too. I think that there's some truth in it, plus he' a .... anyway.

"Fat Frank was constantly put in the England team even though he had never really performed well internationally. He was regulary paired with a similar midfielder who was a much better player than Fat Frank, in which case began to slow England's progress with his constant sidewards backwards safe passing. England fans seeing this began to question Fat Frank's ability and, as if by magic, when he got injured and Gerrard played with a very good DEFENSIVE midfielder England started winning and looking like a more balanced team. Therefore, when Fat Frank came on it upset some of the England fans." End

I think that's right. A lot of people just don't want to see him on the pitch upsetting a balanced side ... even as substitute.

Which also raises question about his overall popularity as well.

[scousemouse]

Check these comments out from Drogba , woder if Lamps feels the same way :

Drogba 'wants to leave Chelsea' Didier Drogba is unhappy at Chelsea and wants to leave the club, according to France Football magazine.

In an interview due to be published on Friday, the Ivory Coast star, 29, says morale at Stamford Bridge has plummeted since former boss Jose Mourinho left.

"I want to leave Chelsea. Something is broken with Chelsea," Drogba said.

"The damage has been big in the dressing room because we know who caused Mourinho's departure. Nothing can stop me from leaving now."

France Football is a well-established magazine in France that awards the Ballon d'Or for the European Footballer of the Year.

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille for £24m in July 2004 and has been the subject of regular speculation since then despite a prolific record with the Blues.

He signed a new four-year deal in November 2006 but told the BBC the following month that he had considered leaving the previous summer in the wake of Chelsea's second successive league title.

In the interview Drogba is quoted as saying he wanted an even earlier exit and will not change his mind even if the club make high-profile signings next summer.

Drogba says Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan or Inter Milan would be his preferred destination.

"Since the day I arrived, I wanted to leave Chelsea and then again every summer," he says.

"I know that Ronaldinho and Kaka are linked to come next season but even that won't change my mind." Chelsea have yet to make any comment on the situation.

[kopite]

Check these comments out from Drogba , woder if Lamps feels the same way :

Drogba 'wants to leave Chelsea' Didier Drogba is unhappy at Chelsea and wants to leave the club, according to France Football magazine.

In an interview due to be published on Friday, the Ivory Coast star, 29, says morale at Stamford Bridge has plummeted since former boss Jose Mourinho left.

"I want to leave Chelsea. Something is broken with Chelsea," Drogba said.

"The damage has been big in the dressing room because we know who caused Mourinho's departure. Nothing can stop me from leaving now."

France Football is a well-established magazine in France that awards the Ballon d'Or for the European Footballer of the Year.

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille for £24m in July 2004 and has been the subject of regular speculation since then despite a prolific record with the Blues.

He signed a new four-year deal in November 2006 but told the BBC the following month that he had considered leaving the previous summer in the wake of Chelsea's second successive league title.

In the interview Drogba is quoted as saying he wanted an even earlier exit and will not change his mind even if the club make high-profile signings next summer.

Drogba says Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan or Inter Milan would be his preferred destination.

"Since the day I arrived, I wanted to leave Chelsea and then again every summer," he says.

"I know that Ronaldinho and Kaka are linked to come next season but even that won't change my mind." Chelsea have yet to make any comment on the situation.

just been posted on raotl. things going from bad to worse at the bridge. oh well, at least they still have their plassie flags to wave around

[ThaiPauly]

I am no fan of Lamps...but I have him in my "Dream Team" and he always does well for me......its as much as I could do to bother to watch England last night....I never used to be like that , but its just that I dont expect anything from them anymore. We are <deleted>.

Pulling on an England shirt sure ain't what it was.

Sure I would have liked to have watched England next year competing...but we all know it will end in tears...it always does.

Anyone else feel the same?

Our leage may be the best in the world ...but our country sure ain't...I would rarther a single point for Reading than see England win anything.

Sorry lads....did you see the SCUNTHORPE banners out in force against Russia?

Edit...I was watchig "24" for five hours previously and switched it off to watch the game...wish I hadn't bothred, 24 is very enjoyable and you know who is gonna win...Jack Baur...wish he played for England !!!

[EastSaxCol]

Our leage may be the best in the world ...but our country sure ain't...I would rarther a single point for Reading than see England win anything.

I think many of us would claim Club over Country. But when it comes down to it we all hope but we're masochists. Because as you say, we all know that it will end in tears.

[mrbojangles]

just been posted on raotl. things going from bad to worse at the bridge.

Hope it gets worser and worser, for them. We play them next week, they can start to rebuild after that