Lampard sticks up for Blues team-mate

22 June 2010 06:48
England vice-captain Frank Lampard has defended John Terry over his controversial recent comments and reiterated there is no rift in the camp.[LNB] Terry has been criticised by Fabio Capello for his stark assessment of England's woes in an interview on Sunday, but Lampard has stuck up for his Chelsea team-mate.[LNB]"The players aren't happy at the moment because we have not performed as we should," Lampard said.[LNB]"John came out and spoke with good, honest intentions. We should be thankful that we have players who speak in that way.[LNB]"It is the way he plays. He is aggressive and he wants to win. Some say he goes too far. I don't think so. He is very straight talking, as you would expect of that kind of personality."[LNB]Nevertheless, Terry uttered some fairly damning words, born out of a debrief over a post-match beer on Friday as England's shattered players were coming to terms with their failure to beat Algeria, a result which leaves them dangling over the abyss.[LNB]When he went public with his concerns, and championed the claims of Joe Cole for a starting spot against Slovenia, Terry indicated he was speaking on behalf of the team.[LNB]Lampard, part of the so-called nine-strong "rebels", feels the whole basis of what was said has been misinterpreted.[LNB]"It is frustrating because there have been headlines about a rift in the camp which honestly is not there," he said.[LNB]"When things get difficult in football people try to find factions. I have had it many times. We have to make sure we stay very united."[LNB]Although England's players have always been supportive of Capello, they have never spent more than 10 days with him before.[LNB]Five weeks in, the austere atmosphere seems to be causing problems.[LNB]Terry claimed he had to plead with Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini for the England team to have a beer on Friday, while Wayne Rooney has previously spoken of the boredom factor.[LNB]Lampard, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Sunday, accepts life can be dull at times, but not so dull it is worth destroying team spirit for.[LNB]"It is not a boot camp," he said. "We have the most fantastic facilities but there is a security issue and no one can change that.[LNB]"The staff have done the utmost to make it as enjoyable as it can be but you can have long days, there is no doubt about that.[LNB]"But if you ask anyone - the players who didn't get in the squad for a start - they would want to be here. I would not moan about it for one minute."[LNB]Lampard has also denied claims Capello is not approachable.[LNB]"If there was a moment in a meeting when you wanted to say something - and there has been on this trip - you address it there," he added.[LNB]"If it was something a bit more personal I would try to speak to the manager personally and I would have no fear in doing that."[LNB]In fairness, there seemed to be no resentment towards Terry during training on Monday. And Lampard has known his Chelsea team-mate for long enough to be certain he will put the whole sorry saga behind him pretty quickly too.[LNB]"John is very tough," he said. "You see certain negative things that have happened in his private and personal life and he has always reacted well.[LNB]"The debate is over now. In terms of preparation, this is obviously not ideal.[LNB]"But it comes with the territory. You have to take on responsibilities and handle certain moments.[LNB]"The only way to convince people about us is to do everything right and then win the game.[LNB]"There are only so many times you can tell everyone we believe we can win it."

Source: Team_Talk