Saturday, June 12, 2010

Lampard Out To Impress


Frank Lampard is determined to make an impact in what he expects to be his last World Cup, while he believes the vast experience in England's squad should stand them in good stead.

The Three Lions bowed out at the quarter-final stage in Germany four years ago and Lampard admits he failed to produce his best form.

The Chelsea midfielder, who will turn 32 later this month, knows that he must take the opportunity to show what he can do in South Africa.

And he insists spirits are high in the camp because senior players such as himself, Steven Gerrard and John Terry have learned a lot from the last couple of tournaments.

"The confidence in ourselves is quite similar to four years ago when there was the same kind of build-up pre-Germany," he said.

"A lot of us are maybe more confident in a way because of the experience of having been there.

"I certainly feel better for my years of experience in club football and at international level.

"But, by the same token, we know how difficult a difficult a competition this is.

"People can fancy our chances and we're very settled in our minds but we have to go out and perform."

Lampard recognises that he is not likely to get another chance to go to the World Cup in 2014.

Reflecting on the 2006 event, he said: "That last World Cup wasn't great for me personally, and wasn't fantastic for the team.

"We got knocked out in the quarter-finals yet again. You don't get that many World Cups in your career and this could possibly be my last, in fact probably my last.

"I want to look back and say I was part of a team that was successful and have been personally successful as well.

"If it is the last one I play, we'll put everything in there to make sure it's as good as it can be."

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