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Lampard plays down 'crisis meeting' talk

Frank Lampard says the camp is united behind Fabio Capello © Getty Images

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Frank Lampard has dismissed claims that he was part of a rebel band of players that attempted to challenge the authority of manager Fabio Capello.

Following England's dire 0-0 draw with Algeria on Friday, a number of the players met to dissect the performance. This was construed by sections of the media as the beginnings of a coup attempt.

In a remarkable press conference on Sunday, John Terry suggested a meeting would be held and that "everyone needs to get off their chest exactly how they're feeling. If it upsets him [Capello] or it upsets any player then so be it."

Lampard has admitted a group met to talk about the Algeria performance, but insisted it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"First and foremost, no one likes to give away too much about meetings," Lampard said. "This one has got particular attention over the last couple of days. But the manager just spoke, we watched the Algeria game and it was a disappointing performance, we make no bones about that, and the manager addressed it.

"I have not read the reports from home, but I think it has been completely overblown in terms of a crisis meeting.

"Wherever I have been, whether with Chelsea or England, there have been up-and-down moments. In the world we live in, a lot gets made and people do try and find different factions and things going against each other, but that is not the case. The truth is we are all trying to turn the Algeria performance into a win on Wednesday and kick-on in the tournament.

"The manager has complete respect from everyone, the relationship is exactly the same, I think he respects all the players and we are working together to get a win and give the fans something to be proud about."

Asked about the post-game meeting involving a group of players, Lampard said: "I don't think I am a rebel, far from it. There was not a rebel gang. If the media want people to come and speak honestly, they have to report it honestly. At the end of the day, it was the lads sitting there and talking about the game. That is the only way I have known a football team being able to recover. If you go into your room and don't talk and don't socialise, how are you supposed to sort it out? That is a normal thing and how it has been turned into a rebel thing baffles me."

Terry spoke in glowing terms of Joe Cole on Sunday, indicating that he feels the midfielder should be in the side, but Lampard again suggested his Chelsea team-mate's comments had been misinterpreted.

"I don't think John meant it like that, but what he said is right," he said. "Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole are the players who have special ability. Joe Cole can give you something different. John was speaking about those two players. People have not taken John literally. If you ask him about Steven Gerrard and Aaron Lennon, he will tell you they can unlock defences and score great goals, but he was asked specifically about those two players.

"He was not saying no-one else can do that, he was just speaking about those players. I was not banging John's door down saying 'do you not think I can unlock a defence?' I did not take any offence by it."

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