Liverpool skipper Gerrard demands England fans forgive and forget to get behind Chelsea defender Col

25 March 2009 11:26
Steven Gerrard has urged the England boo-boys to support rather than jeer Ashley Cole on his return to Wembley this week. [LNB]Cole was taunted by a large number of England supporters the last time Fabio Capello's side played at the national stadium in October. [LNB]The defender's terrible error led to Kazakhstan scoring their only goal in a 5-1 defeat and he suffered a torrent of abuse for the rest of the match. [LNB][LNB][LNB] Nowhere to hide: Cole found the Wembley pitch a lonely place after his blunder against Kazakhstan last year but midfielder Gerrard (below) hopes the England supporters have put it behind them and are ready to back the defender[LNB]The Chelsea star is expected to start in the friendly against Slovakia on Saturday and the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine four days later. [LNB]Gerrard insists it is vital the crowd gets behind Cole and the rest of the team for both matches. [LNB]The Liverpool skipper added: 'As a player and as Ashley's England team-mate, I hope what happened against Kazakhstan has all been forgotten about because it was just a simple mistake. [LNB]'I hope every player gets a good reception and that the fans get behind all the players. It will certainly help us as a team. [LNB]'Ashley is a top-quality left back and on top form is possibly the best in the world. He is very important to this team and is going to be for many more years which is another important reason why the fans should get behind him.'[LNB] The 28-year-old full back has also been targeted by opposition fans in domestic competition since his arrest for being drunk and disorderly at the beginning of the month. [LNB]He was detained and fined £80 after swearing at police when he came out of a nightclub in west London. [LNB]Cole did issue a public apology but he was still singled out for abuse in the FA Cup quarter-final at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena and then against Tottenham at the weekend.  [LNB] National service leaves Premier League bosses with a nervy wait and deserted training pitchesWorking with Capello has made me a better player, says GerrardCapello stands firm on King: England coach will pick Spurs defender again despite rowSpurs star King must return for England to rule the world in 2010, says GerrardStevie to sign for good: All Gerrard has to do now is hit top form for EnglandLIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NETCHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail