View from the Couch: Sorry for your loss Frank, but you're needed on the pitch
By Henry Deedes
Frank Lampard missed Saturday’s “six pointer” with Manchester United. There is talk he may not make Wednesday’s (arguably) more crucial Champions League semi-final tie against Liverpool.
The reason for this is not some spurious injury claim so often trotted out by lesser players than this brilliant individual after a night on the sauce (how many “stomach upsets” can a player have in one season?) but because of the very tragic death of Lampard’s mother, Pat, who passed away this week after suffering from pneumonia.
I realise that what I am about to say will not chime with many. Some may even feel I am a heartless hack for even suggesting it...
But for Lampard to go missing at such a crucial time in his club's season to me smacks of unprofessionalism. There, I said it.
Lampard, for many of us, embodies so many of the qualities lacking in his colleagues in the footballing profession, and as a West Ham fan of 25 years standing - the circumstances of the departure of “Fat Frank” to Chelsea still sticks in the craw down at Upton Park - that takes some saying.
Not only is he a dedicated player who has punched way above his weight in years gone by, but one who displays an articulate, honest assessment of the game which most journalists have long admired.
I’m told Pat Lampard was an elegant, proud mother, loved by all who met her and who rarely missed a game her son was involved in.
The greatest testimony from him would have been, and still could be, to get his ludicrously talented arse out on the pitch and do what he does best - win his team matches.
Oh dear! The Independent resorting to controversy for the sake of getting people talking. And I thought you were better than that.
Posted by: Neil Titterington | 28 April 2008 at 01:27 PM
I don't think he should be forced back before he is ready, as he won't play as well. He can take Wednesday off! This happened to Dirk Kuyt this season, after his father died. On the other hand, I think the whole black armband thing is a little over the top.
Posted by: LeeH | 28 April 2008 at 01:37 PM
Mr Deedes
I detest all professional sport as it truly is the opium of the people and everything you have said has completely vindicated my view. Please try and get some perspective on life.
Posted by: Helena Forsyth | 28 April 2008 at 01:44 PM
I direct you to this: http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/04/28/SOCCER_Chelsea.html&TEAMHD=soccer
Good enough for you?
Posted by: MH's BAWA | 28 April 2008 at 02:32 PM
I think that you should hang your head in shame for even suggesting such a thing.To expect Frank to even think about playing at a time like this is just downright inhuman if you ask me!
Posted by: Rita Cocking | 28 April 2008 at 02:52 PM
Fat? Yes
Unprofessional? No.
I'm not his biggest fan... but give the guy a break.
Posted by: BigGun | 28 April 2008 at 03:26 PM
Excuse me, d'u have a mother at all?
Posted by: falone jack | 28 April 2008 at 04:17 PM
What an appalling thing to write about the grief of another person.
We would all expect time of work if we lost one of our parents, Does that make us all unprofessional?
What sort of performance could Chelsea expect if he's forced to play?
There's only one unprofessional person here Mr.Deedes, and it isn't Frank Lampard.
BTW, I'm not a Chelsea fan
Posted by: Kevin Baldwin | 28 April 2008 at 04:58 PM
Its Lampard's choice whether he plays or not and he perhaps has rights to compassionate leave, but what's with the shared grief? Mrs Lampard's death is for the Lampard family to deal with, not to be shared as a choreographed part of a goal celebration. For a team so obviously playing together despite each other (eg Ballack and Drogba's stupid squabble) it had the air of a team demonstrating 'togetherness' for their own ends rather than any thought for the deceased herself. All looked rather odd and manufactured to me.
Posted by: Ashley Grimes | 28 April 2008 at 05:22 PM
Does anyone know if Frank wanted to play on Saturday?
The assumption is that he did not.
My question is, if he wanted to play, did Average Grant stop him.
As a journalist, Mr Deedes, I suggest you find out the answer to that question first, before making spurious and libelous comments.
Posted by: Paul Lagan | 28 April 2008 at 05:59 PM
Last week Mr. Grant went way up in my estimation, not because he has helped claw Chelsea back into contention, but when he said that some things, such as family crises were more important than football. Note also that Rafa benched Torres (of all people) for a champions league match, so that he could attend the birth of his child. Good to see that there is a modicum of soul left in the otherwise shamefully money grubbing ways of the EPL and ECL.
And shame on you Mr. Deedes for being as crass as many (most?) EPL supporters.
Posted by: Paul Ashton | 28 April 2008 at 10:54 PM
Who r u to dictate how he should deal with his grief. I know I would need more than a week off my job if it happened to me.
Posted by: sandy | 29 April 2008 at 12:15 AM
This article says more about Mr Deedes than it does about Lampard, who I happen to strongly dislike, have no respect for, and think is an average, overrated footballer. But still, get some perspective Deedes...
Posted by: DuncanDonut | 29 April 2008 at 08:38 AM
I am not a fan of Frank Lampard (being a Hammers Fan myself) but he deserves better.
He should be allowed to mourn his loss, I think Deedes is drumming up controversy to get attention.
Good Luck Frank and God Bless
Posted by: Jomo Kenyatta | 29 April 2008 at 09:02 AM
Mr Henry Deedes, are you some form of moron?
The guys mum died and he's expected to play football 2 days later?
Family comes miles before any job or even football.....and I'm a Chelsea season ticket holder.
You think because it's your job to write about football you somehow see it as being the most important thing in the world.........well here's news for you pal, it's not!
I wonder if a member of your family died if you would be at the match writing an article a few days later?
Expect a letter of complaint!!
Posted by: Niall Connery | 29 April 2008 at 09:16 AM
I think this article is frankly disgraceful. The opinions held within it are symptomatic of the delusional nature of some in sports writing. Who in the real world would turn up to work 2 days after the death of a parent? And anyone that would compel them has obviously lost sight of what is and isn't important in life
Posted by: Steve Martin | 29 April 2008 at 09:44 AM
I'm also no fan of Frank Lampard or Chelsea for that matter. Can't stand them to be perfectly honest. However, he deserves to grieve in private and you have no right to expect otherwise. If this is the standard of Independent sports journalism, I think I may appy for a job myself!
Posted by: John Madden | 29 April 2008 at 09:56 AM
A person's mother dies and you call him unprofessional for his grieving. Is the Independent so desperate is has to resort to such tawdry methods to whip up some controversy. It's not risque or radical, it's just totally inappropriate and ill-judged. Sheme on you.
Posted by: Liverpoolfan | 29 April 2008 at 10:47 AM
A person's mother dies and you call him unprofessional for his grieving. Is the Independent so desperate is has to resort to such tawdry methods to whip up some controversy. It's not risque or radical, it's just totally inappropriate and ill-judged. Shame on you.
Posted by: Liverpoolfan | 29 April 2008 at 10:48 AM
I`m not Franks biggest fan. But every person should have time to mourn over their loss. Even if you are a pro player or the Queen.
This is just another stupid PR attempt that makes me question the quality of journalist in england!
Posted by: Danielsansan (liverpoolfan from Norway) | 29 April 2008 at 12:28 PM
I say Frank Lampard is dying to play in this match. He won't be able to resist it and it will be a tribute to his mother. Totally agree with you Henry. The only question is how well will he play. I think the real issue here is the manager. He may not want it. If his head is not right, the manager might prefer the slimmer (and more in form?) Ballack. But it would be tricky wouldn't it if Frank publically stated he wanted to play then the manager denied it? I say that this all needs to happen behind closed doors and if Lampard is not in the eleven he be told to stay home with his family.
Posted by: Best Player | 29 April 2008 at 12:43 PM
That is a disgraceful thing to say, i wonder if your own parents are still alive, when you are grieving, especially for a loved parent, the last thing you want is to go to work, Frank is the consummate professional, how dare you say otherwise.Football is hardly more important than a persons life.
Posted by: gabby | 29 April 2008 at 12:52 PM
I hate Frank Lampard, he is an arrogant, overrated and just plain annoying. But this article is sick. With all of the millions spent by Chelsea, if they cannot accomodate an unfortunate tragedy like this then they have to look at themselves. You can't helphow you feel, and whether or not his losing of the ball last week can be blamed on his personal situation, it can't have helped. As Petr Cech stated a while back after recovering from his head injury, there are somethings in life that show you that football isn't the most important thing in life. Any person who had any feelings, emotions, or a little thing called EMPAPHY would realise this. I can only assume that either you are a robot or you live a very sad and lonely life. We should be really asking Sorry for Chelsea, but Frank is needed of the pitch, by his family and for himself. A pathetic piece if I ever read one. For once Lampard, you have the nation's full support.
Posted by: Mad Dave | 29 April 2008 at 01:55 PM
Henry, why come up with tripe like this? Time to go back to the BBC and The Guardian for sports coverage if this is the type of journalism editors at The Independent encourage. Unbelievable!!!
Posted by: Pete | 29 April 2008 at 05:09 PM
You really should sit down and think before revealing your total lack of perspective and respect for this mans sudden loss.This, "just get your arse on the pitch" nonesense speaks volumes about your disfunctional view on the way this man should grieve the sudden death of his mother.To even mention the word unprofessionalism regarding this persons situation says an awful lot about your own need to get on a couch and recieve some much needed emotional counciling.In future please keep this type of drivel to yourself.
Posted by: Joseph Walsh | 29 April 2008 at 06:05 PM
I suspect Mr Deedes heart is in the same place as the one eye he has obviously lost.
Life is always more impotant than football or any other job and how we each respond to life events is an individuals right that should be respected.
Posted by: Bernie | 30 April 2008 at 01:57 AM
I am a true fans of Frank Lampard and love the blues.Sorry about your mother may her soul rest in peace.Lampard is needed in this match but all i can say is that everything lies in lampards hand if he think he can cope with the situation at hand,then let he come back to pitch becos we needed him most for this crucial match.
R.I.P PAT
Up Blues
Posted by: Lumbo Kashaam | 30 April 2008 at 03:14 AM
Mr Deedes. Words fail me. Shame they didn't you.
Posted by: Nu in the North | 30 April 2008 at 12:46 PM
Mr Deedes. Words fail me. Shame they didn't you.
Posted by: Nu in the North | 30 April 2008 at 12:46 PM
Henry Deedes, you are a fanny.
Posted by: Savak | 30 April 2008 at 12:53 PM
Mr Deeds - what a revolting individual you are. What you have written is both hateful and crass.
Frank Lampard as well as being a footballer, is first and formost a human being, and as a fellow member of the human race most of us will empathise with him in his time of mourning....then there are people like you - shame on you.
Posted by: Trizia | 30 April 2008 at 12:54 PM
What a disgracefull article , you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Posted by: joe stovell | 30 April 2008 at 12:56 PM
What a sorry, pathetic human being you must be Mr Deedes. I just hope you don't get this drivel aimed at you when you lose a loved one.
Posted by: London Blue | 30 April 2008 at 12:58 PM
Mr Deedes probably gets paid by the hits on this site and is probably laughing all the way to the bank for all those who responded (including me now)to his trolls. When will people learn this is the only way papers make money now. The best way to respond is IGNORE THEM.
Posted by: Rob | 30 April 2008 at 01:22 PM
At the end of the day its only a game!! Sad for Mr Deedes if you don't have anymore in life than that! what do you do when the season is over........i dread to think!
Posted by: Ian | 30 April 2008 at 02:39 PM
What a sad little individual you are. I suppose you think that by writing this article you are displaying your journalistic skills. Frankly it's just a cheap & nasty way of getting some column inches. Get a life you creep.
Posted by: Sean | 30 April 2008 at 03:04 PM
If I was Lampard, i wouldn't give up my mother for the world cup, let alone a bit of silverware. Give the poor lad a brake.
Posted by: Manchester United Credit Card | 14 May 2008 at 09:13 PM