Source: Team_Talk
Lamps hoping to light up World Cup
Frank Lampard has vowed to make his last World Cup one to remember for England and hopes his experience could be a factor for the Three Lions.[LNB] The Chelsea midfielder, who will be 32 later this month, concedes this will almost certainly be his last appearance on football's biggest stage.[LNB]He is determined to make up for the disappointment of 2006 in Germany when, by his own admission, he failed to fire on all cylinders before England lost in the quarter-finals to Portugal.[LNB]But Lampard admits there is a confidence because of the knowledge in the squad acquired in past tournaments - via the likes of himself, Steven Gerrard and John Terry.[LNB]He said: "The confidence in ourselves is quite similar to four years ago when there was the same kind of build-up pre-Germany.[LNB]"A lot of us are maybe more confident in a way because of the experience of having been there.[LNB]"I certainly feel better for my years of experience in club football and at international level.[LNB]"But, by the same token, we know how difficult a difficult a competition this is.[LNB]"People can fancy our chances and we're very settled in our minds but we have to go out and perform."[LNB]Lampard admitted: "That last World Cup wasn't great for me personally, and wasn't fantastic for the team.[LNB]"We got knocked out in the quarter-finals yet again. You don't get that many World Cups in your career and this could possibly be my last, in fact probably my last.[LNB]"I want to look back and say I was part of a team that was successful and have been personally successful as well.[LNB]"If it is the last one I play, we'll put everything in there to make sure it's as good as it can be."[LNB]Lampard is aware of the importance of England making a winning start to their group when they take on the United States in Rustenburg tomorrow.[LNB]He said: "I think they'll be very organised. It will be a very big game for them. There'll be a certain rivalry considering the players they have who play in the Premier League.[LNB]"It'll be a tough game. The first one always is. Considering we're playing the strongest team in our group, other than us hopefully, then I think it'll make for a tight game.[LNB]"It's one you want to win to put yourself in a strong position.[LNB]"But I have seen many a game in tournaments before when that first game doesn't go as you expected and teams are a bit cagey.[LNB]"We can't think about it as the be all and end all and just have to prepare for the game."[LNB]Gerrard will skipper the side in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand - the 10th player to lead England in a World Cup finals.[LNB]Lampard, who has replaced the Liverpool midfield as vice-captain, insists Gerrard will have the full respect of the players.[LNB]He said: "The England captaincy is a huge thing for anybody who holds it, especially in a big tournament like this.[LNB]"Steven has got that quiet way kind of quiet way off the pitch and everyone respects him for that and when he plays, he plays with a lot of inspiration and he's a guy to look up to."
