Barnes concerned by Lampard reception - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Barnes concerned by Lampard reception

John Barnes has hit out at the Wembley fans who booed Frank Lampard and claims it "does nothing for the team".

The Chelsea midfielder has now found himself a regular target of abuse from England fans, which was again evident when Lampard came on during the second half against Estonia on Saturday.

Barnes, 43, who won 79 caps for England and also found himself subject to jeers from home supporters at Wembley later in his career, told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "That is wrong. Frank is an England player, and you want England to do well. That does go through to the team."

He added: "It is not a positive situation for the team, it does not help them, it does nothing.

"Having been someone who has been through that situation where individual players may be singled out by England fans, it is not healthy for the team."

Former Liverpool and Watford winger Barnes - who also played for Newcastle and Charlton, as well as having a brief spell in charge at Celtic - believes Lampard could face a real battle to regain his midfield place in the starting XI when all the contenders are fully fit.

Barnes said: "Gareth Barry has been England's most consistent player in the last three games, and so deserves to play against Russia, and I think he will be able to do that quite comfortably.

"But with all things being equal and everybody being fit, that role in the long term, I believe is Owen Hargreaves' role.

"Defensively against better opposition, he is probably better as a holding midfield player."

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