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| |  Posted 06/02/2007 10:18:57 | |
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| Gerrard plays peacemaker over Barton
England's stand-in captain makes case for squad unity as Lampard buries hatchet over player's book jibes
Daniel Taylor
Tuesday February 6, 2007
The Guardian
Steven Gerrard's first role as England captain was to act as peacemaker last night to prevent Joey Barton's introduction creating any divisions in a squad that prides itself on its sense of togetherness. Barton's inflammatory remarks about the post-World Cup autobiographies have gone down badly among certain players, particularly Frank Lampard, and Gerrard tried to nip it in the bud ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford.
Although Barton was typically unapologetic when he joined the squad for the first time, there were handshakes and conciliatory gestures when Gerrard introduced him to a group of players whom he had previously attacked in interviews. None the less, there is still a sense of resentment lingering beneath the surface about the way Barton criticised the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Ashley Cole, saying: "England did nothing in that World Cup, so why were they bringing books out? 'We got beat in the quarter-finals. I played like shit. Here's my book'."
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The inclusion of such an opinionated player constitutes a gamble on Steve McClaren's part but Gerrard has made it clear the Manchester City midfielder should not be isolated. "I know Joey very well," he said. "I just smiled to myself when I saw the squad announced. He is a friend of mine and there are no hard feelings. Myself, Frank and Joey will be having a lot of chats over the next couple of days. I'm sure we can put it to bed."
Gerrard has tried to defuse the situation with humour and a copy of his autobiography was left outside Barton's hotel room yesterday. "I've signed it for him," said Gerrard. "You get a lot of time to yourself and I thought he might like to read it."
Whether Lampard has seen the funny side is another matter. The Chelsea player is renowned for being sensitive to criticism and was deeply aggrieved by Barton's remarks, not just about his autobiography but also his inability to gel with Gerrard in central midfield. One of Barton's more memorable observations about the Lampard-Gerrard conundrum was that "if there were two balls on the pitch, England would be successful but the fact is it's been proven they don't work together".
Privately, Lampard regards it as a matter worthy of an apology and pulled Barton aside at the team hotel for a chat. The Chelsea midfielder was civil yesterday when he said: "It's something that has been very done up in the media and I think that is maybe where Joey shouldn't have said it - in the media. Now more and more people are saying there are bridges to build, when there aren't. There is nothing there. We are a squad and everyone who comes into our squad will have to fit straight into our squad - that is the important thing."
That diplomatic front will encourage Gerrard as he prepares to deputise for John Terry. "It would have been easy for me to do an interview about Joey Barton but I decided to let it blow over," said Gerrard. "Joey's a friend of mine. We grew up in nearby estates in Liverpool. He's similar to me: when he does interviews he is honest and likes to say how he feels. Every footballer has said things they regret slightly - but you learn from those things."
Barton's criticisms had also included a reference to fringe players "going along for the ride" and being happy to "train a couple of days, wear the tracksuit and shrug their shoulders when they are told they aren't playing". The 24-year-old had promised to "rattle some cages" and Gerrard said that was a welcome attitude. "It freshens things up and keeps players on their toes. If you look at our performances in the last couple of tournaments I think a shake-up was needed."
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| | | Posted 06/02/2007 10:24:46 | |
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| Just goes to show what an overrated prima donna Fat Frank Lumpolard really is. Some justified criticism and the toys are out of the pram. Get over yourself fatty.
you know, you know, if a feller named Monroe never fathered bluegrass
he would still be unrecognised as the grand wizard of speed metal 
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| | | Posted 06/02/2007 11:02:37 | |
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Used to be SB, you know
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| | How articulate... "It's something that has been very done up in the media and I think that is maybe where Joey shouldn't have said it - in the media" 
Keeper of the heretic's fork of doom. |
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| | | Posted 06/02/2007 11:05:39 | |
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Cloudy's back
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| Seattle Blue (06/02/2007)
How articulate... "It's something that has been very done up in the media and I think that is maybe where Joey shouldn't have said it - in the media"
Very subtle use of Iambic Pentamater there Lamps. 
Avoid, rather than check. Check, rather than hurt. Hurt, rather than maim. Maim, rather than kill. For all life is precious, nor can any be replaced. |
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| | | Posted 06/02/2007 11:50:35 | |
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| This is from 365:
So Who Is The Premiership's Mr Sensitive?
Says Frank Lampard of Joey Barton:
"I don't think Joey should talk about me and Steve Gerrard, that probably says enough.
"As a professional - and I know I'm talking about another player now - you shouldn't talk about other players too much."
Yes, that's the same Frank Lampard who publicly condemned Theo Walcott's inclusion in the England squad.
Yes, it's the same Frank Lampard who launched a scathing attack on Stephen Hunt the day after an accidental challenge.
Yes, it's the Frank Lampard who blasted the same player two months later for not visiting Cech in hospital, despite Hunt's explanation that he wrote to Cech asking if he could visit and received no reply.
And yes, it's the same Frank Lampard who told The Sun in December that: "Lehmann shows no respect to anyone on the pitch.
"For me, it's all in the heat of battle and nonsense to start talking to the media about it afterwards.
"But the other week myself and my cousin Jamie Redknapp were out to dinner in a London restaurant and Lehmann was sitting just feet from us on another table.
"We acknowledged him and he completely blanked both of us. In fact, when he left, he walked right past our table and didn't even have the decency to say anything - whether nice or rude!
"Perhaps Lehmann's more sensitive than the rest of us."
Perhaps not you, Frank.
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| | | Posted 06/02/2007 16:35:28 | |
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| I think Gerrard's handled it well. He's not been a twat, unlike Shootalot. Drop Lamps, put Barton in.
It's practically Christmas today! |
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