Lampard expects Rooney to prove his critics wrong

Paul Hirst 05:56 18/06/2014
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  • Best of friends: Lampard has played with Rooney for England for the last 11 years.

    Frank Lampard expects Wayne Rooney to be fired up and determined to prove his critics wrong in England’s crunch match against Uruguay. 

    Rooney’s place in the team has come under the spotlight in recent weeks after a number of indifferent displays – the latest of which came in England’s 2-1 defeat to Italy on Saturday.

    Lampard claims there is a counter- productive “agenda” against Rooney that will only hinder England’s chances of succeeding at this World Cup.

    Like Rooney, Lampard has gone through his ups and downs with England. The former Chelsea midfielder enjoyed a successful start to his international career, but he was booed in 2007 – much to his dismay.

    Lampard recovered from the episode and he is backing Rooney to prove his doubters wrong – just when England need him the most.

    “I think Wayne looks ready to show what he can do on the pitch,” the England midfielder said.

    “He looks very focused to me.”

    Despite Rooney’s sub-par showing against Italy, it is highly unlikely that he will not play against Uruguay in England’s second game.

    The striker put in some extra training at his own request on Monday and the criticism has not affected his mood according to Lampard, who has played alongside Rooney for 11 years with England.

    “I get on very well with Wayne. We never mention it (the criticism),” Lampard said. “We just watch the other games in the hotel, have massages, have a joke.

    “It was one of the masseurs’ 50th birthday today, so we strapped him and volleyed a few balls at him, as us mature boys do, and that’s it.

    “It’s light-hearted. That’s how it is and Wayne is always at the middle of the light-heartedness as well.”

    England need Rooney and the rest of his team-mates to be at their best in Sao Paulo. A defeat would end England’s chances of qualification and a draw would leave the team relying on other results to progress.

    Suarez missed his country’s shock opening defeat to Costa Rica but revealed on Twitter he and his team-mates were determined to make amends tomorrow.

    “There have been some difficult days since the loss to Costa Rica. Wanted to thank you for the support given to us,” Suarez said.

    “Stay calm. We are going to give our best in the match against England. Trust us, we want to progress.”

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