I know it's a taboo subject for a great many on here, but I think it's time we discussed this openly.

I have heard various differing reasons over the course of this season for his indifferent form. Here's just a few;

1. His age, I suppose meaning his legs are going?

2. Saving himself for the World Cup.

3. He's like a fish out of water in the midfield diamond.

4. Carrying some kind of niggling injury.

Please feel free to discuss any of the above or add new theories to the list, because there is no doubt, the Frank we are getting now is not the Frank we are used to.

I don't think he's adjusted to the diamond to be honest.

Don't think he's lost what he's shown for a long time...but I don't think he understands how to use his abilities in the new role, or maybe whether his new role allows him leeway to show it.

ok, he might not be playing to the levels he has in the past but that doesnt mean hes playing poorly. hes still playing well for us and still has a lot of input into our game. hes playing a different game and in a slightly different position and also isnt used as the only playmaker like he did for the the last few years which may make it look like hes not having as much of an impact.

No way is Lamps saving himself for the world cup. But it coulkd be any of the other three reasons - more likely a combination of all three.

He's a huge player for us, but looking to the future, we will need to plan for times without him and the form he is in at the moment means he is not above being dropped. He wasn't playing in the Wolves match when the midfield played really well (albeit against Wolves), so I reckon we may well se him out of the starting 11 if hius current form (or lack of it) continues.

Still think he has so much to offer us but i notice in his body language he clearly has issues with where he has to play within the system.

He wont score as many goals for us and his overall contribution is affected.

Still think he has so much to offer us but i notice in his body language he clearly has issues with where he has to play within the system.

He wont score as many goals for us and his overall contribution is affected.

i made a thread a few months ago trying to give a reason why not having lampard aas the only attacking impetus from midfield and spreading around the goals and play could be a good thing for us. last season if lampard was caged by a team then we were stopped from midfield. if we have other options then its more difficult to stop us playing.

I reckon it's down to Christine Bleakley..certainly would help to take your mind off a bad result.

I reckon it's down to Christine Bleakley..certainly would help to take your mind off a bad result.

That Adrian Chiles must be gutted. She was happily letting him put his thing in her but then along comes Frank Lampard.

Whatever the reason, I feel that Frank has been replaced as the dominant force in our midfield. IMO Essien is our new "go to guy"and Ancelotti should ensure the midfield is set up around him now rather than Lamps. I would definately take Essien away from that restrictive defensive holding role. It's a waste of his incredible power, drive and athleticism. It was only when he was released into midfield yesterday that we began to win battles in the middle of the pitch.

I just checked out some pics of her. To me, she is kind of heinous. Certainly not pretty (at best, OK).

That Adrian Chiles must be gutted. She was happily letting him put his thing in her but then along comes Frank Lampard.

Whatever the reason, I feel that Frank has been replaced as the dominant force in our midfield. IMO Essien is our new "go to guy"and Ancelotti should ensure the midfield is set up around him now rather than Lamps. I would definately take Essien away from that restrictive defensive holding role. It's a waste of his incredible power, drive and athleticism. It was only when he was released into midfield yesterday that we began to win battles in the middle of the pitch.

Must be gutting for Jolly Adrian..still he's a West Brom fan and likely deserves the Hot Brick treatment if Franks on offer..

Agree with the Essien part and feel he shouldn't be used as a holding player, I know he is very good in most positions but I don't think he is any better than Mikel or Ballack in that kind of role but a hell of a lot more dangerous and worrying to the opposition going forwards.

I am worried for Frank though, I said to Mrs Chip when he walked up for the Pen that he never looked up for it and Given certainly was excited about getting a chance to be hero.

Did you see Adabayer pushing Essien around before the free kick? brave man although twice his height.

Phillip Christine Bleakley "Heinous" whats the equivalent of Specsavers where you are?

I would definately take Essien away from that restrictive defensive holding role. It's a waste of his incredible power, drive and athleticism. It was only when he was released into midfield yesterday that we began to win battles in the middle of the pitch.

Amen to that. I have said time and time again that Essien is both wasted and also not suited to the holding role. I know Ancelotti got criticism for his substitutions yesterday but I thought he got the first two right - where he went wrong was taking so long to make a final one.

Must be gutting for Jolly Adrian..still he's a West Brom fan and likely deserves the Hot Brick treatment if Franks on offer..

Agree with the Essien part and feel he shouldn't be used as a holding player, I know he is very good in most positions but I don't think he is any better than Mikel or Ballack in that kind of role but a hell of a lot more dangerous and worrying to the opposition going forwards.

I am worried for Frank though, I said to Mrs Chip when he walked up for the Pen that he never looked up for it and Given certainly was excited about getting a chance to be hero.

Did you see Adabayer pushing Essien around before the free kick? brave man although twice his height.

Phillip Christine Bleakley "Heinous" whats the equivalent of Specsavers where you are?

I don't know. Maybe its the large collagen-filled lips, or maybe its the extreme overbite. Though I do give her credit for not having a boob job. She just does not float my boat, that's all. OK, she is not heinous, but I would not give her a second look if she passed by me on the street.

i don't think she's all that either...frank can have his pick and one would not have thought he'd go for her...must be her personality!

I know it's a taboo subject for a great many on here, but I think it's time we discussed this openly.

I have heard various differing reasons over the course of this season for his indifferent form. Here's just a few;

1. His age, I suppose meaning his legs are going?

2. Saving himself for the World Cup.

3. He's like a fish out of water in the midfield diamond.

4. Carrying some kind of niggling injury.

Please feel free to discuss any of the above or add new theories to the list, because there is no doubt, the Frank we are getting now is not the Frank we are used to.

I dont think it has anything to do with the World Cup, or an injury.

The main reason in my opinion, is that he doesnt have such a big hunger to suceed anymore. He has estabilshed himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe. He has won the the leauge two times, won the FA-Cup, won the CC. Its understandable that this hunger, that all of our players had after Jose has taken over, is gone.

And hes 31 already, probably past his best years.

How does Fergie keep United hungry? With threats and cajoling?

How does Fergie keep United hungry? With threats and cajoling?

Eats their food.

I think it might be a loss of confidence, which that penalty miss is certainly not going to help. His role in the diamond has restricted his goalscoring opportunities and as a result, the media got on his back, and he might have started to believe in the anti-hype, especially when seeing Essien shining so brightly in the same midfield. I just hope he doesn't turn into what Ballack has become...

Amen to that. I have said time and time again that Essien is both wasted and also not suited to the holding role. I know Ancelotti got criticism for his substitutions yesterday but I thought he got the first two right - where he went wrong was taking so long to make a final one.

You're right, his first two subs were perfect. When I first saw he was brining on Belletti and Mikel it didn't seem to make a ton of sense but then when I saw how he applied the changes it had a great effect. However I too would have brought on Malouda earlier (and probably for Lampard at the point I would have done it). Sad to say there wasn't much on the bench yesterday that could help add some offensive firepower when we needed it.

It's Ray Wilkins teaching him the technique of moving sideways

He has been average (for him) this season so far but no worse than that. Plenty of time for him to find his usual stratospheric self. Of the possibilities you have suggested for him not being as good as he can be (though still better than most)...

1. His age, I suppose meaning his legs are going?

No evidence of that.

2. Saving himself for the World Cup.

Whoever suggested that needs shooting.

3. He's like a fish out of water in the midfield diamond.

Some truth here but he is good enough to adapt.

4. Carrying some kind of niggling injury.

No evidence of that.

Decline

Wow.

You're right, his first two subs were perfect. When I first saw he was brining on Belletti and Mikel it didn't seem to make a ton of sense but then when I saw how he applied the changes it had a great effect. However I too would have brought on Malouda earlier (and probably for Lampard at the point I would have done it). Sad to say there wasn't much on the bench yesterday that could help add some offensive firepower when we needed it.

I like Belletti, but he is one petulant bugger. He always is getting mad at the referee or an opposing player, and he kind of reminds me of Shrek in his mindset.

I think the media specualation surrounding his private life could be affecting his on field performances, his ex and current girlfriend have been in the news quite a bit recently

GET WELL SOON FRANK

I dont remember he had a shot on goal until the penalty, which didnt help him when came to that pressure cooker situation. I don't think he is in decline, I believe he should play every match from now on and play himself into form. I remember whe he was playing well, he just kepe going week in and week out. His fitness is never in question, and some player needs the rhythm to play well.

Eats their food.

Nope - that's Benitez.