Apparently it was Sam Allardyce's substitutions that had that certain section of St James' Park up in arms.But there is no question who the Boo Boys at England games have a "liking" to ... Frank Lampard ... and I'm buggered why!
What Are The Boo Boys Up To?
Apparently it was Sam Allardyce's substitutions that had that certain section of St James' Park up in arms.But there is no question who the Boo Boys at England games have a "liking" to ... Frank Lampard ... and I'm buggered why!
Lampard's introduction as a 70th-minute substitute for Michael Owen was met with unmistakable booing from the England's supporters.
As he headed down the tunnel, just a few seconds after the final whistle 23 minutes later, wrapped in a blue Estonia shirt, head bowed, he looked a mix of frustration - and anger. Last on the pitch ... first off it!
As he headed down the tunnel, just a few seconds after the final whistle 23 minutes later, wrapped in a blue Estonia shirt, head bowed, he looked a mix of frustration - and anger. Last on the pitch ... first off it!
This isn't how it is supposed to be for Lampard who, whatever his faults, he is one of the hardest-working and most dedicated of footballers. It is difficult to explain quite how things have come to this for him as he won his 58th cap for his country. But they have.
Twice England player of the year - in 2004 and 2005 - an award voted for, lest it be forgotten, by the fans, the 29-year-old endured a poor World Cup after being leading scorer in the qualifying campaign, and has not seen his fortunes for his country recover.
Too often he is identified as the root cause of the problem rather than the solution.
Maybe he suffers in comparison to Steven Gerrard. The theory that the two cannot play together - surely "won't" rather than "can't" - has become ingrained while the emergence of Gareth Barry from Lampard's shadow has put his place under serious threat.
Barry collected the man-of-the-match award, to further, inadvertently, rub salt in Lampard's wounds.
Too often he is identified as the root cause of the problem rather than the solution.
Maybe he suffers in comparison to Steven Gerrard. The theory that the two cannot play together - surely "won't" rather than "can't" - has become ingrained while the emergence of Gareth Barry from Lampard's shadow has put his place under serious threat.
Barry collected the man-of-the-match award, to further, inadvertently, rub salt in Lampard's wounds.
Joe Cole: "I don't understand it.
"He's brilliant, fantastic and it's something that should not happen. He is one of the best players in the world. He's never let England or Chelsea down and he doesn't deserve it."
Lampard is not the only England player to have been jeered. Indeed it is not the only time he has been targeted. At the end of last season he was goaded during the friendly against Brazil even if their coach Dunga singled out Lampard for praise.
And, just two matches ago, David Bentley was booed as he was introduced as a substitute against Israel.
Lampard's crime, rather than not wanting to play for his country, as Bentley did by absenting himself from the under-21 European Championships, appears to be to want to play too much.
Against Andorra last March, when Lampard was left out because of injury, or at least that was the version peddled by McClaren, there was talk that he had been dropped and reacted by attempting to fly out on a private jet. He denied it but the accusation stuck.
Michael Owen is just as keen to play for England, and will happily go through the pain barrier to do so.
But let's hope Owen doesn't go through a rough spell ... while still not 100% fit ... and ends up with boos ringing in his ears like Lampard.