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| Vickery slams 'fair-weather fans' | Vickery slams 'fair-weather fans' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| England prop Phil Vickery has rounded on the fans who booed the team off the pitch at the end of their 25-14 defeat by South Africa on Saturday. | England prop Phil Vickery has rounded on the fans who booed the team off the pitch at the end of their 25-14 defeat by South Africa on Saturday. |
| The Twickenham crowd were reacting to England's eight defeat in nine Tests, but Vickery said the players needed support rather than criticism. | The Twickenham crowd were reacting to England's eight defeat in nine Tests, but Vickery said the players needed support rather than criticism. |
| "It's a results business, but those booing us need to ask themselves what kind of supporter they are," he said. | "It's a results business, but those booing us need to ask themselves what kind of supporter they are," he said. |
| "True supporters understand what we're going through. They always support us." | "True supporters understand what we're going through. They always support us." |
| England were also booed by their own fans at the end of their 25-18 defeat by Argentina on 11 November. | England were also booed by their own fans at the end of their 25-18 defeat by Argentina on 11 November. |
| Vickery, who was making his first Test start in more than a year after back surgery, said the players were doing their utmost to turn round England's dismal run of form. | Vickery, who was making his first Test start in more than a year after back surgery, said the players were doing their utmost to turn round England's dismal run of form. |
| 606 DEBATE: What do you think of Vickery's views? | |
| "It is tough for us and we have rightly taken a lot of criticism, but everyone's working hard," he said. | "It is tough for us and we have rightly taken a lot of criticism, but everyone's working hard," he said. |
| "There was no lack of effort and I'm certainly proud of my team." | "There was no lack of effort and I'm certainly proud of my team." |
| The 30-year-old said he still backed under-fire coach Andy Robinson. | The 30-year-old said he still backed under-fire coach Andy Robinson. |
| I hope the powers that be don't do anything silly Vickery on under-fire coach Andy Robinson | I hope the powers that be don't do anything silly Vickery on under-fire coach Andy Robinson |
| "It doesn't need a rocket scientist to work out that we're not going to be favourites to win the World Cup next year," said Vickery. | "It doesn't need a rocket scientist to work out that we're not going to be favourites to win the World Cup next year," said Vickery. |
| "But when I look around, we have got some good players. | "But when I look around, we have got some good players. |
| "I hope people don't over-react and that we can keep the coaches that we've got. It can work. | "I hope people don't over-react and that we can keep the coaches that we've got. It can work. |
| "But things take time, and we all know that in this line of business you don't get many chances. I hope the powers that be don't do anything silly." | "But things take time, and we all know that in this line of business you don't get many chances. I hope the powers that be don't do anything silly." |
| Vickery has captained England twice during his 49-cap Test career, and is frequently cited as a possible successor to current skipper Martin Corry. | Vickery has captained England twice during his 49-cap Test career, and is frequently cited as a possible successor to current skipper Martin Corry. |
| And the Wasps prop did not rule out a return to the helm. | And the Wasps prop did not rule out a return to the helm. |
| "I want to play for my country in whatever capacity," he said. | "I want to play for my country in whatever capacity," he said. |
| "My name's always mentioned in terms of the captaincy - it's just routine. | "My name's always mentioned in terms of the captaincy - it's just routine. |
| "I want to be part of a successful England team. I enjoy playing under Martin Corry, he's a fantastic guy but you get what you're dealt." | "I want to be part of a successful England team. I enjoy playing under Martin Corry, he's a fantastic guy but you get what you're dealt." |