Source: Daily_Mail
Jeers to cheers: Lampard 'stronger' having battled the Wembley boo-boys
Frank Lampard feels he is a stronger character for having to face the Wembley boo-boys. [LNB]The unfortunate mantle that has previously belonged to John Barnes and Gary Neville now seems to have a new owner in Ashley Cole, with Stewart Downing not far behind judging by the mutterings of disquiet that rang round a near capacity stadium on Saturday when the Middlesbrough man was introduced. [LNB]Despite Fabio Capello urging England supporters to stay solidly behind his team, it seems they just cannot get by without having someone to loathe. [LNB] Standing strong: Chelsea's Frank Lampard believes he has been hardened by the experience of facing England's boo-boys[LNB]For a long time that man was Lampard, castigated for supposedly failing to produce his Chelsea form with an England shirt on. [LNB]The 30-year-old admitted it was not a pleasant experience. However, going through it has had a positive side-effect. [LNB] Clean up, lads: Lampard calls on pampered young stars to do dirty workEngland No 1 Rooney: I won't extinguish my passion and I'll never stop being a hot-headLampard backs snubbed Owen to prove Capello wrong and win England recall'The first time you get a bit of stick it does affect you,' he said. [LNB]'You are only human. [LNB]'Graduallyit becomes a lot easier to deal with. You start thinking it doesn'tmatter too much and concentrate on doing your job. [LNB]'It is not nice for anyone to take stick from their own fans, everyone sees that with Ashley at the moment. [LNB]'There were a few rumblings at the weekend and it doesn't help anyone. [LNB]'But it has actually made me a bit stronger for coming through it.' [LNB]The turning point for Lampard has come with the rise in England's fortunes under Capello. [LNB] Singled out: Lampard has urged England fans to support Blues team-mate Ashley Cole, who has come under intense scrutiny in recent internationals[LNB]Asthey overcame Croatia and Belarus in a four-match winning sequence atthe start of Group Six qualifying for next year's World Cup, so camethe recognition Lampard must be doing something right. [LNB]'It has been very rewarding,' he said. [LNB]'There are ups and downs in your career. You just have to try and overcome it. [LNB]'Now I just need to keep playing well. That's the only way people will respond in the right way.' [LNB]IfEngland see off a dangerous Ukraine team - the only group rival theyhave yet to beat - tomorrow, it will not just be Lampard being feted. [LNB]Good advice: Lampard insists Fabio Capello's tough-line approach is just what England needed[LNB]Despitelast month's defeat to Euro 2008 winners Spain, it is obvious toeveryone that Capello's arrival has had a positive effect on theEngland camp. [LNB]The Italian's clarity of thought has seepedthrough to his squad, leaving Lampard in no doubt the growing optimismsurrounding England is not misplaced. [LNB]'Looking back, Capello was exactly what we needed,' said the midfield star. [LNB]'We required a very strong leader who had his own mind. [LNB]'You can see that with Capello. I used to see it at Madrid. [LNB]'Hewould make strong decisions on players. They weren't always what peoplemight have considered the favourable, glamorous decision, but it wasfor the benefit of the team. [LNB]'Everyone has an opinion on England but we need a strong man who will not listen to anyone else and go his own route.' [LNB] Clean up, lads: Lampard calls on pampered young stars to do dirty workEngland No 1 Rooney: I won't extinguish my passion and I'll never stop being a hot-headLampard backs snubbed Owen to prove Capello wrong and win England recall[LNB] [LNB]
