Lampard still confident from the spot
Wayne Rooney has not tried to oust Frank Lampard as
England's penalty king.
Lampard has failed with his last two efforts from the spot,
first for Chelsea in the FA Cup final and then last week in Graz as
England struggled to overcome Japan. Given his desire to take on
any additional responsibility, it would have been no surprise if
Rooney had been banging on Fabio Capello's door wanting to know if
there was any chance of being installed as Lampard's
replacement.
But Lampard insists the Manchester United star has kept his
distance. "Wayne hasn't made an issue of it. Actually, he hasn't
said anything. No-one has," Lampard said.
"I heard the manager had said I was still the penalty taker and
I am happy with that. I still have the confidence.
"It is a fact of life that you can miss occasionally."
Lampard admitted he struggled to recall the last time he missed
two on the trot, but does not necessarily view it as a bad
thing.
The 31-year-old is acutely aware that at some point in the next
five weeks, either in general play or one of those dreaded
shoot-outs England have never won at a World Cup, he will be asked
to score from the spot again.
"I missed in a friendly, which was a little reminder," he said.
"I will practise them here and go back to basics a bit.
"Despite what has happened I am very confident with myself. I
have the inner strength to take it on the chin.
"When I pick up the ball I believe that I will score."
The Press Association