A global journey…
Is it just me or is Frank Lampard (Junior) coming in for some very unfair stick lately? I watched him closely during Chelsea's 1-0 win over Barcelona last night and it dawned on me that he doesn't get the credit he deserves. The fella goes box to box for 90 minutes; last night he was always there to help Ashley Cole (who really is overrated) deal with Leo Messi as well as getting forward to support the attack.
Seems people only notice Lampard when he's banging in goals (or getting lucky with deflections). I remember the same thing happening to Manchester United's Paul Scholes when he played for England. But both men have great technique, nice quick feet, and play smart passes to keep the ball moving.
But they get judged like strikers in some ways, praised if they're scoring, lambasted if they're not. Fair enough if we're talking Michael Owen, who more or less literally does nothing outside of the penalty area, but when a midfielder's doing plenty of other work it's not really fair is it? Yes Frank had a lot of shots off target in the World Cup (including one rather important penalty…) but outside of that he was no worse than the other England players. Same thing against Macedonia and Croatia.
So hows about we all give the guy a break and put the Frankophobia on hiatus for a while?
Next Post : Is Anfield A Goalkeeper Graveyard?
9 Responses
Jen on 19-10-2006 at 11:53 am
Lampard had a pretty good game against Barca, but I think he did a lot more defensive work yesterday than he usually does. The reason I’ve been slagging him off so much recently is because he’s been focused way too much on the attacking side of his game — specifically, scoring goals — to the exclusion of everything else.
Steven Garreds Double on 19-10-2006 at 4:41 pm
Nope, it’s fair! I think he’s always been overrated, the only reason he got space lastnight is because Barca are an attacking force, they watched the dangermen as best as possible, and Lampard doesn’t come into the catergory
Steven Gerrards Double on 19-10-2006 at 4:41 pm
Nope, it’s fair! I think he’s always been overrated, the only reason he got space lastnight is because Barca are an attacking force, they watched the dangermen as best as possible, and Lampard doesn’t come into the catergory
Squiddy on 19-10-2006 at 7:07 pm
He didn’t do a lot more defensive work yesterday. He always does. When you’re blaming him for not scoring it’s because he knows his responsibilities to the team and isn’t attacking at all. Judge him on whathe’s doing – not on what he’s not intending to do.
rezza on 25-10-2006 at 7:20 am
frank is overated, he just looked good in that £££££££££££ chealsea team. really he is avergae and if you cant even score a penalty, what were you doing at the world cup and how in any way do you deserve £££££££££ each week????
Lampard is amazing on 13-11-2006 at 7:29 pm
I whole heartedly agree. Lampard is an amazing player with so much heart and accuracy. He’s one badass footballer and people are way to critical of him. I’m always in awe when I watch him play.
dude on 13-11-2006 at 7:34 pm
I agree. He is amazing. People seem to forget that he is not a striker, he is a midfielder and one of the best. He is the driving force of his team and it is visible how hard he works. His international performances have been less than his usual because he is less comfortable and has less trust in this new team to go forward more. His accuracy and finishing is incredible.
lozza on 22-06-2007 at 10:13 am
lampard has dun nufin wrong why shud we boo him??????/
Jess on 31-08-2007 at 12:54 am
I think Lampard is the best football player in the world