Lampard calls for unity

Midfielder urges fans to be patient

Last updated: 1st September 2008

Frank Lampard England France

Lampard: Rallying cry

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Frank Lampard has urged supporters to get behind England against Andorra on Saturday.

England were jeered as they struggled to see off the European minnows in March last year, while a disappointing performance against Czech Republic in August was also met with a negative response.

Fabio Capello's side will be looking for a convincing victory when they play their first World Cup qualifier this weekend, and Lampard feels it is important for fans to play their part.

"We just hope the fans who travel this time will be behind the team," said the midfielder.

"When we went there before it was not a good atmosphere. Anyone who was there will know that.

"I don't know if it was as bad as I can remember but when you play for England you have to be tough and able to handle atmospheres like that.

"The problem is games like that can be frustrating. Andorra are just going to sit in and try to make the score as respectable as they can.

"You need the crowd with you because when you are trying to break a team down, sometimes you have to wait a bit longer for a goal than you expect."

Onus

Steven Gerrard will miss the clash as he recovers from groin surgery but Lampard has played down the suggestion that he will have a bigger role to play.

"I don't know if there will be more onus on me," he said.

"I think the eyes are on all the team because we need to get results.

"It's not about individuals. The manager is very strong on that, it's about a team effort.

"We shouldn't single out any players. If people drop out we have a big enough squad to cope."

Six points

England also take on Croatia on Wednesday and Lampard is targeting back-to-back wins.

"We take these games as a package and we want six points, simple as that," he said.

"Quite rightly, we are expected to beat Andorra.

"But those games aren't that easy. Hopefully we can score an early goal and then go on and get the comfortable result we want."