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A matter of trust

Comment: 0 September 8th, 2011 by: admin
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THE sign is up.

Though fuzzy as it may seem, it is still a cause for worry not just for Frank Lampard but the whole England team as well.

The concern cropped up when Fabio Capello benched the veteran playmaker in the Three Lions’ recent Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria.

Confining someone as vital a player as Lampard to the sidelines unearthed speculations that he is no longer valued in Capello’s pecking order. Or leaning towards a worse forecast, the move was seen more as an insult that insinuates his international career has seen better days.

An indication that Capello is now favouring his younger players rather than the old hands has been detected early on by England captain John Terry.

He had this gut feeling that the 30-something veterans including him are under threat from a new group of young players and that they may soon be used sparingly and be relegated to supporting roles.

BENCH WARMER

The brouhaha all stemmed from Lampard’s riding the bench for almost the entire Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria whom the Three Lions handily dispatched 3-0.

Indeed a disturbing move by Capello because it was the first time in four years that Lampard, at 33 the oldest in the England roster, was dropped from a competitive match!

Capello said the playmaker’s unconvincing form in a couple of Chelsea games this season was the reason he put Lampard on the bench for a while.

The Italian boss said Lampard needs to raise his performance in order to regain his prime spot in his pecking order.

FIGHTING BACK

But Lampard fought back, insisting his playing days are not yet over and that Capello must base his selection on form, not age. The latter had earlier stated that as manager, he selects players not on their reputation and that he chooses the players not the name. They must accept his decision, he emphasized.

Clearly, Lampard still has the desire and energy to play even though he underperforms at times. All he needs is time, and more games, to get back to his best shape.

And he has been there before, those slow starts in the season and playing uninspiredly. But in all of the dark times in hi career, he was able to rise again and silence his critics.

But Capello has made the damage. It was an insult not only to Lampard but also to the 30-year-old Terry and the 31-year-old Steven Gerrard. Imagine not featuring the trio in an English lineup during a competitive game? Could it be Terry the next to stay on the bench or could Gerrard be given ample time to play when he comes back from a long injury?

In lieu of Lampard in that tussle in Sofia, Capello tapped in Garreth Barry and Scott Parker. The Italian boss should be thankful his ploy did not backfire for he may have been buried neck-deep in criticisms by now.

IN PRAISE OF FRANK

Nevertheless, praise should still be heaped on Lampard despite his retort. Showing the gentleman and professional side of him, he said he was not surprised to be left out considering the abundance of quality in the current squad. He even said he felt more excited than threatened by watching young midfielders blossoming in the past year or so.

Underestimating a player in Lampard’s mould by confining him to the bench is not giving the team the boost they have been lacking in order to deliver in international competition the past years. It is even demoralising.

Lampard is not alone in defending his cause. Terry has stepped forward to his side, and in allusion to Capello said the coach and the team itself might be courting danger if his long-time pal is totally disregarded.

TARGET: EURO 2012

Capello is stepping down as manager after his last qualifying tournament with the Three Lions and if he wants to exit in a blaze of glory, he needs to give Lampard another chance to prove he can still be reckoned with. One good venue is next year’s Euro 2012. Lampard will be 34 by then and it would be great to see him still contributing his best for the Three Lions.

Lampard made it known that he is not sitting on the bench expecting anything but to play is foremost on his mind and this is what drives him on. Insisting he needs more games to recover, he vowed to have an improved performance as the season goes on.

There are only two reasons he won’t play for England. One is if he doesn’t get picked which according to him is fair enough. And the other is if he finds it beneficial for his long-term career with Chelsea.

He has a message and Capello should pay close attention. Lampard still wants to play and he will certainly “give anything I can while I can.’’

And when he said “there’s nothing better in football than proving people wrong,’’ then the more he should be trusted by Capello.

 

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