STOP ABUSING FRANK LAMPARD
Rival fans should recognise just how good he really is
A FEW days ago, one newspaper carried a great photograph of a car surrounded by a dozen lions in Knowsley Safari Park.
And it reminded me of the time when planning permission was being sought for the park, which remains one of Liverpool's finest tourist attractions.
There were obvious concerns from local councillors. "What will happen if the lions escape?" asked one. "Well," came the reply. "I guess they'll just have to take their chances like everyone else."
Humour once coloured every facet of Merseyside life. Nowhere was that more evident than on the steepling terraces of the Kop.
So amusing was the rendition of Des O'Connor's Careless Hands after Gary Sprake had thrown the ball into his own net that the Leeds keeper used it as the title of his autobiography.
Creativity and humour still flourish at Anfield but, in keeping with every other Premier League stadium, so does witless abuse. It has become a speciality of a widening section of the modern football fan.
You've seen them. Faces screwed in completely inexplicable rage, spitting venom for no other reason than they can. And then turning to their 10-year-old and encouraging him to do the same.
Jeering a player, even taunting him, is the unqualified right of every ticket-holder. It's natural. Hostility towards the opposition might unsettle them. But there is an increasing fondness for foul-mouthed filth delivered purely for the sake of it.
You can almost excuse it in some instances. The antics of El Hadji Diouf, for example, would make a saint swear. Cristiano Ronaldo's histrionics would rile even the most mild-mannered. Ashley Cole's unfortunate comments about cash were always going to elicit anger amongst the paying masses.
But in most cases, the reasoning is unfathomable. And none more so than in the case of Frank Lampard.
I watched Lampard twice last week - once at St James' Park, where he excelled, and once at Anfield, where he was effective without being outstanding.
But at both grounds, he was villified by certain sections of the crowd. People will no doubt tell me the reasons why. Maybe at Newcastle, his goal celebration was provocative.
Certainly at Anfield, they will point to his challenge on Xabi Alonso on the first day of 2005 that left the Spaniard with a broken leg.
But if there's anyone who believes Lampard is the type of player who goes out to deliberately injure someone, they don't know the game.
No, the Liverpool supporters' abuse of Lampard is a sub-conscious acknowledgement of his continuing excellence - excellence that continues to be undervalued.
Occasionally, he has been given deserved recognition, not least when the Football Writers' Association voted him the Footballer of the Year in 2005. But only occasionally.
When discussion turns to this season's individual accolades, Lampard is an afterthought. And that is a mystery. Including internationals, Lampard has already made 54 appearances this season and I would defy anyone to name a genuinely poor one.
He has scored 17 goals and has been directly responsible for creating eight. He was Chelsea's best player under Luiz Felipe Scolari, he is Chelsea's best player under Guus Hiddink.
He was Chelsea's best player under Jose Mourinho, he was Chelsea's best player under Avram Grant.
Cement
And under Fabio Capello, he has adapted to a slightly unnatural role in a manner which demostrates a quality so often lacking in English players - tactical discipline.
Maybe it is because he is so predictable in his effectiveness, so metronomic in his contribution that he is under-rated. Disliked even.
The debate about why Lampard has never truly captured the public imagination has been going on for years. Born with a footballing silver spoon in his mouth, perhaps. Not as swashbucking as Stevie G, maybe. Or even somewhat over-sensitive to jibes that should really be laughed off.
But if a season which has showcased his durability and continuing development as a player should do one thing, it is to cement his position as one of the finest - if not the finest - English players of his generation.
It should earn him respect - even from the foaming-at-the-mouth brigade who seem to be taking over our football grounds. But will it? Fat chance.
Now get the News of World print edition for more from Andy Dunn
This article has 7 comments
You are too late Andy,Ollie Holt has got the gig as chief brown noser of fatboy.
By colin. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:52 PM.
Hatred is the embodiment of the malevolent transition of jealousy and envy.
Jealousy and envy are indications of competitive spirit and a hope that you can be as good (or in the case of football fans, that their players can be as good).
Hatred is what happens when that jealousy and envy isn't resolved into respect or appreciation that they ARE better and ALWAYS WILL BE.
Hatred should be reserved solely for something which CANNOT be respected or appreciated. I limit that to rich folks who fund killing/inflict addiction for money, believe in slavery or who wilfully engage in perverted sexual activity with minors.
I can't understand how any sentient football fan can hate Lampard. He's a bloody good player. And just as important, he's a bloody good ENGLISH player.
Maybe you should start asking them?
By Rhys Jaggar. Posted April 12 2009 at 4:43 PM.
i can see your point but this abuse doesnt just fall on lampard who is a good player but so he should be in that team,ive been there and heard people call steven gerrards wife allsorts but he doesnt go round looking for sympathy like lampard does and i bet you hear just as much abuse at cockney bridge aimed at him on tuesday
By neil. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:49 AM.
You are spot on Andy. All the fans who abuse him are jealous. Frank Lampard regularly out performs Gerrard, especially when they play for England. Lamps is a good honest footballer which is something that rival fans cant deal with so they resort to small minded abuse.
By trueblue. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:41 AM.
o.k it was hard tackle but its a mans game u sure your from liverpool paul bank stick to netball mate. come on the chelsea
By john mccool. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:19 AM.
Talking absolute rubbish here. So I suppose Chelsea fans cheer Gerrard, Torres or Ronaldo? It's what fans of opposing teams do and Lampard can provoke some of the reaction. Chelsea became a team that were disliked by everyone when Mourinho was there as there was a huge amount of arrogance and whilst the arrogance has gone (partly) the fact remains that Lampard, Terry, Ashley Cole and others will always be disliked.
Andy Dunn you have not got a clue and 99% of your articles show that!
By Rob, Cardiff. Posted April 12 2009 at 9:26 AM.
Have another look at that Alonso tackle on YouTube. Then tell me there was no malice in it. He might be a nice lad but when the adrenaline is pumping Lampard can be as nasty as the rest of them. Chelsea fan by any chance?
By Paul Banks. Posted April 12 2009 at 6:52 AM.