England skipper Steven Gerrard ready to revisit Swiss nightmare in Euro 2012 crunch

Disgrace: Frei spits at GerrardSteven Gerrard willtonight lead England on to astage where he enduredperhaps the worst 45 minutesof his career. He will also haveto shake the hand of a manwho once spat at him. It will be another test forGerrard in what should bethe final episode of a character-building, seven-gamesequence as stand-in captain. Rio Ferdinand expects tobe fit to reclaim the armbandagainst Montenegro nextmonth but first comes thetoughest fixture in this Euro2012 qualifying group and apersonal score to settle. When Gerrard played herefor Liverpool in the ChampionsLeague eight years ago,he was substituted at half-timewith his team 3-0 down. Manager Gerard Houllieraccused the young midfielderof believing his own hype ashe replaced him with SalifDiao and salvaged a 3-3 drawwhich was not enough toreach the next round. 'When you believe you are anaccomplished player, you godown quickly at this level,'said Houllier at the time. Gerrard cited his parents'divorce for the poor showingbut last night confessed: 'Thatwas an excuse. I was just terrible. 'You have to blame it onsomething. You learn from things likethat throughout your career.Highs and lows. That wascertainly a low in my career. 'It was probably one of theworst performances I've putin. I totally deserved to bewhipped off at half-time. But it helps you become theplayer you are.  Wearing the armband: Steven Gerrard will lead England out against Switzerland'You learn fromexperience. I'm the player Iam today from learning andrecovering from my lows,rather than dwelling on myhighs. 'Things like that happenand you become a betterplayer from them. I was sittingin the dressing-room onmy own, having been takenoff in one of my first ChampionsLeague games.' Gerrard has no issue eitherwith Alexander Frei, theSwitzerland captain bannedfor three games after spittingat Gerrard's neck during agame in the Euro 2004 finalsin Portugal. 'At the time, I was upset,'said the England skipper, winninghis 87th cap tonight. VIDEO: Gerrard on Swiss test.'Butit was six years ago and I don'thold grudges. He's apologised,so we move on. 'Hopefully wewon't see it again.' Gerrard proved a capablediplomat. He has a case forkeeping the armband butFabio Capello has made itclear that won't happen. Had it been Ferdinand fieldingquestions yesterday, hewould have found himselftrying to explain how hisManchester restaurant hadcome to provide the backdropfor one of Wayne Rooney'salleged liaisons withprostitute Jenny Thompson. Luckily for England, Gerrardwas in the firing line. Wayne Rooney prostitute Jennifer Thompson shamelessly breaks cover as disgraced fooballer jets off to Switzerland with England squadDefoe to face Young Boys keeper with Swiss No 1 on paternity leave Jermain Defoe is England's main man! Sportsmail looks at why Fabio Capello has put his trust in the Tottenham striker 

Source: Daily_Mail