Lampard says best still to come from Gerrard double act

Frank Lampard admitted Tuesday that England fans have yet to see the best of him and Steven Gerrard but dismissed suggestions their failure to gel has been the root cause of the side’s under-performance over recent years.

The Chelsea midfielder and his Liverpool counterpart look set to be given another chance to prove they can form an effective partnership in central midfield when England face Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

But Lampard believes there is little to be gained from another round of discussion over whether the two players are too similar to be played together.

“My view is that it is very important to talk about the team — it is not about individuals,” he said after England’s first training session ahead of the Kazakhstan match and next week’s trip to Belarus.

“The performance in Croatia last month showed more than anything that when we play as a team, that is what is important and the manager is focused very much on that.

“If you look too much into side issues, you’ll find your own problems — the important thing is to win the game.”

Lampard’s performance in the 4-1 win in Croatia and his current form for Chelsea mean he is certain to keep his starting line-up but England boss Fabio Capello does not have the option of playing an unchanged side because Joe Cole is out injured, which means Gerrard will almost certainly come back in.

“All the partnerships are important all over the pitch,” Lampard added. “Of course me and Steven, when included, whether it is together or one or the other, want to be at our best.

“And probably we would both hold our hands up and say over the last couple of years we’ve not done that.

“There are times with any partnership when it works and when it doesn’t work. We get on very well off the pitch and we get on well on the pitch but we want to improve.

“We have been playing at a high level for our clubs and people expect the same for England and it does not always happen.”

After the convincing win in Croatia, Lampard admits that expectations will be high among England fans for the visit of Kazakhstan.

“It adds a slightly different pressure,” he said. “When you look at our squad, we look the stronger team.

“It was quite nice to be underdogs a little bit against Croatia. We reacted well to that and now it is slightly different mentality needed when we are favourites and need to go out on the front foot to win the game.”

England have struggled in their most recent matches at Wembley and have had to endure some hostile treatment from their own fans, partly as a result of lingering frustration for the team’s failure to reach Euro 2008.

But Lampard, who has been singled out for individual criticism at times, expects the atmosphere to be better on Saturday evening.

“For any team – England or your club – you have periods feeling comfortable playing away and periods when you feel comfortable playing at home,” he said.

“Hopefully, with that feeling of confidence which came from the Croatia game we can show our intentions from the start of the game and I think the fans will respond to that.”