Lampard's Wembley boo boys perplex Cole

Updated 08.39 Mon Oct 15 2007
Keywords: Russia, Euro 2008, England, Steve McClaren, Estonia, Wembley, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, football, sport

Joe Cole is backing Chelsea club-mate Frank Lampard to get the better of the England boo boys ahead Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia in Moscow.

Lampard was jeered when he came on as a second-half substitute for striker Michael Owen against Estonia at Wembley on Saturday.

"It amazes me that people can do that. I can't believe it. He is one of the best players I have played with" - Joe Cole

Team-mates Peter Crouch and Owen Hargreaves have received similar treatment in recent years and a perplexed Cole told reporters: "For me, Frank is one of the best players in the world. He has never let England down.

"He has been England's player of the year. It amazes me that people can do that. I can't believe it. He is one of the best players I have played with. I can't remember him having too many average games in an England shirt.

"But Frank is a strong character. If anyone is a strong enough character to deal with that, it is Frank. It is not nice when it happens to anyone. But Frank will come through this and show people what a top player he is."

And Cole is refusing to be daunted about the prospect of playing on an artificial pitch in Moscow: "I have played on Hackney Marshes so I am sure it will be better than those! We certainly don't fear the artificial pitch."

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