This has nothing to do with Lampard's contribution and importance to Chelsea, both of which are immense.

I have previously called him our best-ever player and I stand by that.

However ..

First of all he was a committed squad member, so he said, who would never cause problems and who was devoid of ego.

Then there was his reaction at Newcastle, since when he's been continuously in the press, saying he's not happy at not playing, how he's always at his best when playing regularly, how the manager hasn't spoken to him, etc etc.

These are direct quotes and there's no need for it.

For my money, he's trying to exert pressure on the manager to pick him, when this is not the way to do it.

The manager has a difficult enough job as it is, and he can't keep everyone happy, and the team should come before any individual, and all players should be treated equally.

Lampard seems to think he's above being dropped, but he's 33, he's a box-to-box midfielder, and games have passed him by at times.

The manager is right to rotate him, and even if he isn't, it's his call, and Lampard should respect that.

I don't see him saying these things to Capello.

I just do not think he's taking it "like a man" (so to speak).

Keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, work hard and when you get your chance, take it, as we all know you can.

It's tantamount to moaning, even if it's a small moan, rather than a big moan.

It's worth remembering we once had another great player, name of Zola, who spent plenty of time on the bench, who wasn't always at the height of his powers, and who sometimes had cause for grievance.

We didn't get a peep out of him. He let his feet do the talking.

Please Frank do the same ..

And score the winner at Wigan.

Naw, i disagree with you, as Lamps has not said anything that makes me upset. He is entitled to say these things, which in my mind do not go too far.

Context.....

Being dropped is a new thing for him, and its not exactly like he took a fatwah out on AVB. He just questioned his lack of selections, and this is an annomoly in his career.

Like Phillip I am willing to give a living legend a pass this time. If it goes on and on, differernt story.

But Frank will fall in line because he puts this club and his teammates before himself, and he always has.

The press have chosen to make his comments sound a lot worse than they were. I don't mind him being frustrated, but he was playing badly vs Newcastle. I hope he takes it like a man as you said, because he's still got a lot to offer us in the right frame of mind, which I don't doubt he has.

The press have chosen to make his comments sound a lot worse than they were. I don't mind him being frustrated, but he was playing badly vs Newcastle. I hope he takes it like a man as you said, because he's still got a lot to offer us in the right frame of mind, which I don't doubt he has.

Fair point. However, Frank has been around long enough to know how the press will report it, surely?

He was asked a question and answered it, it was hardly inflammatory. the most important bit of the interview has been missed out by quite a few media outlets, surprisingly. The bit where he said

"I understand it with me being 33 now, but I know I have got a lot to give. I’ve got 18 months left here and I’ll be here for that long and keep on trying my hardest.â€"

Unlike most I have been critical of Frank at times but these comments are nothing. The club sent him out to do an interview and he answered the questions put to him. If he'd said that he loves taking the money and not having to play then we'd have had a reason to complain. The press are massively twisting what he said.

Judge for yourself:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16153017.stm

He was asked those questions and he answered honestly. Don't see anything wrong with it and understand his frustration being the first season he has been dropped or subbed when he is fit. Rather that than do a Bogarde collecting pay checks for nothing.

What's wrong with him expressing that he's unhappy about not playing? He has a right to be, just as AVB has a right to recognize that he isn't currently one of our three best options in midfield and to place him on the bench where he belongs. As long as he continues to train and perform to the best of his abilities when called upon, I'm not going to get angry at him for speaking his mind. It's not like he's thrown his manager under the bus or anything of the sort.

Frank Lampard has been an automatic pick for so long it must be difficult for him to warm the bench. All top professionals worth a damn want to play every game so i can see his point, but at 33 he is bound to get less game time especialy with the other options you have in the middle. I think he will still play a huge role in any success at Chelsea for a good couple of seasons yet and no matter how old he is he is probably still the deadliest centre mid in terms of goalscoring midfielders in the league.

He was asked a question and answered it, it was hardly inflammatory. the most important bit of the interview has been missed out by quite a few media outlets, surprisingly. The bit where he said

"I understand it with me being 33 now, but I know I have got a lot to give. I’ve got 18 months left here and I’ll be here for that long and keep on trying my hardest.â€"

This.

I always take negative media reports with a grain of salt.

I didn't like his little hissy fit when he got subbed vs Newcastle. He wasn't having a great game and the manager wanted to shake things up a bit. He needs to get a grip and respect the manager's decisions.

I didn't like his little hissy fit when he got subbed vs Newcastle. He wasn't having a great game and the manager wanted to shake things up a bit. He needs to get a grip and respect the manager's decisions.

It's never what we want to see as fans when our clubs player spit the dummy out. But in some ways it shows passion, especialy if it's due to a player having a poor performance. It means he wants to stay out there and make things better... Try having Balotelli in your team, LOL. I love our Mario and he's a brilliant player but the odd strop is mild for him.

Personally, i think it does show that he still has the desire to acheive things with us, but can't except that he is no longer first name on the team sheet. I think AVB is right to do what he is doing, and Frank will just have to get used to it unfortunately.

I didn't like his little hissy fit when he got subbed vs Newcastle. He wasn't having a great game and the manager wanted to shake things up a bit. He needs to get a grip and respect the manager's decisions.

What little hissy fit exactly? He walked off, looked unhappy and sat on the bench. He didnt have a "hissy fit" at all.

What little hissy fit exactly? He walked off, looked unhappy and sat on the bench. He didnt have a "hissy fit" at all.

Exactly - I clearly have no idea what constitutes a hissy fit because Lampard against Newcastle didn't look like one. At most he looked a tad miffed! The media reacted to it as if he had pulled his shorts down, taken his top off, wiped his arse with it and offered it to AVB on a tray.

It was a barely noticeable 'face pull'!

To be fair, if you or I were having a bit of a stinker and got subbed off, you'd have a face like that, because you'd know that everyone knew you were playing badly!

He thinks he's bigger than the club. He doesn't care that the team is in good form without him, as long as he's playing nothing matters.

One of the top 5 used players and he has the audacity to moan about not playing enough games.

If Kalou or Malouda were making the same comments the fans would be slaughtering them but it's Super Frankie Lampard so it's alright eh?

And now his agent is demanding a new contract. Sheesh, talk about trying to capitalise on a good moment. I mean nobody else in the squad could have scored a penalty against City!!! Give him 5 more years!!!

That's a tad harsh on someone who's given everything for the club for many years as well as...

Scored more goals from midfield than ANY top player in Europe..

Holds the record for the most consecutive outfield appearances for the premier league..

Is third on our all time goalscorers list..

Frank Lampard deserves nothing but the utmost respect from Chelsea fans for what he has given us, and looking a bit 'miffed' at being taken off is no reason to besmirch that.

He thinks he's bigger than the club. He doesn't care that the team is in good form without him, as long as he's playing nothing matters.

One of the top 5 used players and he has the audacity to moan about not playing enough games.

If Kalou or Malouda were making the same comments the fans would be slaughtering them but it's Super Frankie Lampard so it's alright eh?

And now his agent is demanding a new contract. Sheesh, talk about trying to capitalise on a good moment. I mean nobody else in the squad could have scored a penalty against City!!! Give him 5 more years!!!

If you're not being tongue in cheek (which I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt on) that's nothing more than utter crap. The guy wants to play and given he is second or first in both the goals and assists tally he thinks he should be.

Consider if Sturridge or Mata (his nearest competitors on those lists) were being benched in a similar manner. There would be a riot.

I do wish he had just said "Of course I want to play every game" that would kind of been the end of it, he should know how the media twist things in this country!

He thinks he's bigger than the club. He doesn't care that the team is in good form without him, as long as he's playing nothing matters.

One of the top 5 used players and he has the audacity to moan about not playing enough games.

If Kalou or Malouda were making the same comments the fans would be slaughtering them but it's Super Frankie Lampard so it's alright eh?

And now his agent is demanding a new contract. Sheesh, talk about trying to capitalise on a good moment. I mean nobody else in the squad could have scored a penalty against City!!! Give him 5 more years!!!

i think zesteroi has a new nickname. Talk about "what have you done for me lately"

World class performance from Super Frank today.

He sure showed the manager exactly what he was missing by dropping him.

I mean who else could possibly pass the ball slowly from side to side?

And thank god he was on the pitch in case we got one of those penalties only he can score.

What would we do without him?

Give him 10 more years please Roman. He loves Chelsea, he isn't like that greedy Drogba! He wants to stay for love not money!

Oh dear. You've revealed yourself. Hope it felt good.