Avram Grant: My England stars will bite back

But Grant has advised his players to follow the example set by David Beckham.

The former Manchester United midfielder was a pariah after the World Cup in France 1998 because he was sent off for a petulant kick against Argentina as England went out.

Even though an effigy of Beckham was burned in the street in this country he then transformed opinion with fantastic performances and went on to become captain.

Grant believes his England internationals will manage a similar turnaround if they bide their time.

He said: "I remember the supporters were against Beckham and then he became the hero of England. I remember Cristiano Ronaldo [getting abused after Portugal 2004] and now everybody likes him and he became the player of the year. It is part of life.

"When you are an international player some of the things the supporters will give you are not nice but they are professional and know it can happen.

"I don't like it. I understand that the fans are disappointed but the players are more disappointed than them. They gave what they could and didn't qualify. It was disappointing for everybody and they should not go against them."

Frank Lampard suffered the worst of the backlash from fans at Derby as his side won 2-0 thanks to goals from Salomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

But the winger was loudly jeered too and so was Joe Cole as he warmed up and came on late in the game. Even John Terry and Ashley Cole were abused and the pair did not play against Croatia last week.

The left-back could not understand the fans' reaction but is used to taking stick and is actually relishing the prospect of going back to Arsenal next month, when he will be treated as public enemy No1.

Cole did not play at his old club last season because of injury but has been dubbed Cashley Cole and targeted for abuse since his move to Chelsea in August last year.

The former Arsenal trainee said: "I can't miss this one. I am not a kid, I am a man and I am looking forward to it so much. I get all that stuff [the abuse] every game and it is nothing new to me. I don't know if I love it. I don't have to prove anything because they know how good I was but it would be good to just go there and shut some people up.

"I get booed every game and I am not bothered at all by what I might get. I don't hate the club or the players - it is nothing like that.

"But it is finished there for me and I have got to look on at Chelsea and do as well as I can and hopefully beat them when we go there. Hopefully I can keep my place.

"I think we have to win every game up to the Arsenal one because if we do that and beat them we are right back in it and then anything can happen. We have to start picking up points."

Chelsea play West Ham and Sunderland before going to Emirates Stadium on 16 December. They trail leaders Arsenal by five points.

Cole said: "We are getting back in the title race. We are still not playing as well as we know we can but we are grinding out the results and closing the gap on the others."