INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL:FRANK LAMPARD has appealed to England's supporters for patience and vocal backing when they play Andorra on Saturday.
The trip to Barcelona for the opening World Cup qualifier, the first competitive tie of Fabio Capello's England's reign, will stir uncomfortable memories, not least for Lampard.
The Chelsea midfielder did not play on the last occasion that England took on Andorra at the Olympic Stadium, during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008, a wrist injury ruling him out. But he witnessed the vein-bulging fury that gripped sections of the travelling support as England, hard on the heels of the 0-0 away draw with Israel, laboured to half-time against their unheralded rivals with the scoreline blank.
Steve McClaren, the then manager, heard sustained calls for his dismissal and Lampard, who has suffered at the hands of England's more acerbic followers since the World Cup finals in Germany, was also targeted in the stands. Steven Gerrard, the midfielder, called it "one of the most difficult 45 minutes for England" and although they ran out 3-0 winners, Gerrard scoring the first two goals, McClaren cut short his post-match press conference, telling reporters they could write what they liked.
"It wasn't a good atmosphere, it's as simple as that. Anyone who was there will know that," said Lampard. "We just hope the fans who travel there this time will be behind the team. Games like that can be frustrating because Andorra are just going to sit in and try to make the score as respectable as they can.
"You need the crowd with you because when you're trying to break a team down, sometimes you have to wait a bit longer than you expect. It was a difficult atmosphere. I don't know if it was as bad as I can remember but when you play for England, you have to be tough and be able to handle atmospheres like that and critics."
Despite his best efforts, Lampard has suffered more than most in the claustrophobic environment of England games. He received a mixed reception from the Wembley crowd when his name was announced before the 2-2 friendly draw with the Czech Republic two weeks ago and he was roundly booed when he was substituted late on. He is sure, though, to be a pivotal figure against Andorra and then Croatia in Zagreb tomorrow week, particularly as Gerrard will miss both qualifying fixtures.
"I don't know if there will be more onus on me," Lampard said. "The eyes are on all the team because we need to get results. It's not about individuals, the manager is very strong on that, it's about a team effort. We shouldn't single out any players. We have a big enough squad so that if anyone drops out, we should be able to cope. Let's hope we can.
"We are looking to prepare right for both games, we take them as a package and we want six points. We're expected to get three points against Andorra and quite rightly so but those games aren't that easy. Hopefully, we can score an early goal and then go on and get the comfortable result we want. But going into the 10 days, the onus is on trying to get six points."
Croatia proved England's nemesis in Euro 2008 qualification, beating McClaren's team at home and away, with their 3-2 triumph at Wembley ending England's hopes in the final match. Luka Modric, who has since left Dinamo Zagreb for Tottenham Hotspur, was at the heart of Croatia's intelligent counter-attacking game and Lampard has warned of the need to monitor his threat.
Lampard faced Modric at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and Tottenham's equaliser in the 1-1 draw came when he challenged him 35 yards from goal and watched the ball squirt off Modric to run through for Darren Bent.
"Modric tried to nutmeg me," said Lampard. "I saw it coming but the ball deflected (into Bent's path), there's nothing you can do. He's a very technical player and certainly one we will have to watch in Croatia."
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