FRANK LAMPARD feels he is a stronger character for having to face the Wembley boo-boys.
The unfortunate mantle that has previously belonged to John Barnes and Gary Neville now seems to have a new owner in Ashley Cole, with Stewart Downing not far behind judging by the mutterings of disquiet that rang round a near capacity stadium on Sat
urday when the Middlesbrough man was introduced.
Despite Fabio Capello urging England supporters to stay solidly behind his team, it seems they just cannot get by without having someone to loathe.
For a long time that man was Lampard, castigated for supposedly failing to produce his Chelsea form with an England shirt on.
The 30-year-old admitted it was not a pleasant experience. However, going through it has had a positive side-effect.
"The first time you get a bit of stick it does affect you," he said. "You are only human.
"Gradually it becomes a lot easier to deal with. You start thinking it doesn't matter too much and concentrate on doing your job.
"It is not nice for anyone to take stick from their own fans, everyone sees that with Ashley at the moment.
"There were a few rumblings at the weekend and it doesn't help anyone. But it has actually made me a bit stronger for coming through it."
The turning point for Lampard has coincided with the rise in England's fortunes under Capello.
As they overcame Croatia and Belarus in a four-match winning sequence at the start of Group Six qualifying for next year's World Cup, so came the recognition Lampard must be doing something right.
"It has been very rewarding," he said. "There are ups and downs in your career. You just have to try and overcome it.
"Now I just need to keep playing well. That's the only way people will respond in the right way."
If England see off a dangerous Ukraine team – the only group rival they have yet to beat – tomorrow, it will not just be Lampard being feted.
Despite last month's defeat to Euro 2008 winners Spain, it is obvious to everyone that Capello's arrival has had a positive effect on the England camp.
The Italian's clarity of thought has seeped through to his squad, leaving Lampard in no doubt the growing optimism surrounding England is not misplaced.
"Looking back, Capello was exactly what we needed," said the midfield star. "We required a very strong leader who had his own mind."
The full article contains 421 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
