Forgotten man Frank Lampard deserves far more respect, says Steven Gerrard

Simon Johnson
3 Jun 2009

Steven Gerrard has admitted that he is mystified that Frank Lampard was ignored in the end-of-season awards and feels he is one of the most under-appreciated players in the country.

Gerrard is looking forward to being reunited with Lampard in an England shirt when Fabio Capello's side take on Kazakhstan on Saturday and playing alongside one of the best performers in the Premier League.

The Liverpool captain's appreciation of the Chelsea midfielder's talents do not appear to be shared elsewhere. He not only failed to make the shortlist for Professional Footballers' Association player of the year, which was won by Ryan Giggs, he didn't even get enough votes to make the PFA team of the year either.

He was also ignored in the Football Writers' footballer of the year award, which was handed to Gerrard last week. It is all the more surprising for the 30-year-old himself. He believes it was his best-ever season, with 20 goals for the fourth year in a row, the last of which was the winner in Chelsea's FA Cup Final victory over Everton on Saturday.

Gerrard, who had an outstanding season himself, was honoured his efforts were rewarded, but can't believe Lampard was snubbed.

He said: "I was fully aware of the competition from Frank and surprised he seemed to be forgotten. He has had a great season and is such a consistent player. To get the nod above Frank and the others was a fantastic feeling.

"I felt the way he's been playing he would have been worthy of at least getting in the PFA team of the year. He is a fantastic player and he proves it by scoring 20 plus, year in year out. He is setting the standards for all the other players."

The duo have struck up an even better relationship on the pitch since Capello took over and decided to play Lampard in a deeper role in midfield with Gerrard on the left. Neither are playing in the same position as they do for their club and yet it has helped get England off to their best- ever start to a World Cup qualifying campaign.

Two wins against Kazakhstan and Andorra next Wednesday will virtually secure England's place in the World Cup next year and Gerrard says their sacrifice would be worth it.

He added: "It is really working well between Frank and I and you can tell because we are winning football matches. People talk about individual relationships and partnerships but the main goal is to win games as a team.

"England are doing that at the moment. I am playing more forward on the left and Frank is playing deeper but it's working for the team so we're both happy. The message from Capello has been to win these two games, to put ourselves in the driving seat in the group. If we do that we may only need three more points to win the group."

Gerrard is confident the presence of Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville in the squad will help, not hinder their cause despite them still reeling from Manchester United's Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona last week.

He said: "I don't think the players need any advice from me. When you're a footballer and you lose a big game it hurts. The good thing is to have football around the corner.

"It would have been difficult if they'd had four or five weeks to dwell on it but they're lucky to have two games to get it out of their system."

Gerrard is also hoping that this summer will also see former Liverpool team-mate Michael Owen revive his fortunes and get a move from Newcastle that will resurrect his England career. He added: "A fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in this squad for sure."