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Bilic defends Lampard over form Bilic defends Lampard over form
(about 16 hours later)
Croatia manager Slaven Bilic says Frank Lampard will prove his critics wrong in the same way he beat the "prejudice" of fans when he started out at West Ham.Croatia manager Slaven Bilic says Frank Lampard will prove his critics wrong in the same way he beat the "prejudice" of fans when he started out at West Ham.
Chelsea's Lampard has come under fire since a poor World Cup but has been backed by ex-Hammers team-mate Bilic.Chelsea's Lampard has come under fire since a poor World Cup but has been backed by ex-Hammers team-mate Bilic.
"There was a lot of prejudice as his dad was the West Ham assistant," Bilic told BBC Sport ahead of England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia on Wednesday."There was a lot of prejudice as his dad was the West Ham assistant," Bilic told BBC Sport ahead of England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia on Wednesday.
"But in recent years he has been one of the best midfielders in the world.""But in recent years he has been one of the best midfielders in the world."
Interview: Croatia manager Slaven Bilic
Bilic added: "He had a big chip on his shoulder but Frank has proved his critics wrong.Bilic added: "He had a big chip on his shoulder but Frank has proved his critics wrong.
"He has shown that he was always a great talent.""He has shown that he was always a great talent."
Lampard, 28, has admitted himself that he had doubts about his ability after he failed to score in Germany this summer as England went out at the quarter-final stage.Lampard, 28, has admitted himself that he had doubts about his ability after he failed to score in Germany this summer as England went out at the quarter-final stage.
He is not a robot that can always keep such great form Bilic on LampardHe is not a robot that can always keep such great form Bilic on Lampard
But Bilic has revealed he was shocked by the defensive nature of England's play at the tournament and that Lampard, who will win his 50th cap against Croatia, was not the only player to blame.But Bilic has revealed he was shocked by the defensive nature of England's play at the tournament and that Lampard, who will win his 50th cap against Croatia, was not the only player to blame.
"The whole team failed and Frank didn't play up to his level," said Bilic."The whole team failed and Frank didn't play up to his level," said Bilic.
"It is very difficult for the stars because people get used to you scoring week in, week out."It is very difficult for the stars because people get used to you scoring week in, week out.
"For me, during the World Cup, he looked - as most of the English players did - not only tired but mentally and physically exhausted."For me, during the World Cup, he looked - as most of the English players did - not only tired but mentally and physically exhausted.
"They were very important games but you cannot doubt his ability on the basis of three or four games."They were very important games but you cannot doubt his ability on the basis of three or four games.
"The level he has been playing at in the last three or four years - week in, week out - is unbelievably good."The level he has been playing at in the last three or four years - week in, week out - is unbelievably good.
"He is not a robot that can always keep such great form."He is not a robot that can always keep such great form.
I used to stay with Rio after training to show him things and practise a little bit Bilic on Rio FerdinandI used to stay with Rio after training to show him things and practise a little bit Bilic on Rio Ferdinand
"He was a little bit in a crisis but sooner or later, definitely sooner, he will be back on track.""He was a little bit in a crisis but sooner or later, definitely sooner, he will be back on track."
England and Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand was also at West Ham during Bilic's spell at the club - when current Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was at the helm.England and Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand was also at West Ham during Bilic's spell at the club - when current Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was at the helm.
"In both Rio and Frank you could see straight from the start that they had technique, character and everything to become players who were good enough to play for England," added Bilic."In both Rio and Frank you could see straight from the start that they had technique, character and everything to become players who were good enough to play for England," added Bilic.
"I said seven or eight years ago, when I told Rio and Harry, that he should be in the top three centre-halves in the world."I said seven or eight years ago, when I told Rio and Harry, that he should be in the top three centre-halves in the world.
"I used to stay with Rio after training to show him things and practise a little bit."I used to stay with Rio after training to show him things and practise a little bit.
"He, for me, is now - and especially for the last five or six years - among the best four or five defenders in the world.""He, for me, is now - and especially for the last five or six years - among the best four or five defenders in the world."
Bilic believes England have a number of world-class players but is keen to expose the weaknesses displayed by them during the World Cup.Bilic believes England have a number of world-class players but is keen to expose the weaknesses displayed by them during the World Cup.
"I am not exactly going to tell you what these weaknesses are but, in general, they have great individual players - only in a situation like the World Cup they didn't play as a team."I am not exactly going to tell you what these weaknesses are but, in general, they have great individual players - only in a situation like the World Cup they didn't play as a team.
"That is what they are missing and lacking - and I still think they do not play like a team.""That is what they are missing and lacking - and I still think they do not play like a team."