7 October 2005
Press Conference: Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard talks to the press ahead of England's Group Six World Cup Qualifier at home to Austria.


Click here to read the full transcription from Frank's press briefing

Frank Lampard says he still has a deeply-held belief that England will peak at the World Cup Finals as they prepare to face Austria in a crucial qualifier.

The Three Lions need six points to be certain of reaching the finals in Germany next year, where they could well be one of the favourites.

And despite recent disappointing results Lampard is adamant that Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men are good enough to pass the test.

He said: "Obviously at the moment we’re not happy with the way we have played but I think the belief is still there. Every team can go through these kind of patches and you have to get out of them and we’re aiming to do that.

"Then, afterwards, you have to take a bit of strength from that. You learn lessons through the bad patch and know why it happened. I feel there are a lot of teams who have won World Cups who have not cruised through the group in the qualifying round to get there.

"Maybe you learn a little lesson on the way and hopefully we can qualify and make it right in the World Cup."

Lampard admits he feels almost unbeatable at the moment following a remarkable start to the season with Chelsea, who have won eight straight games in the Premiership and conceded only two goals. Now he hopes to take that form onto the international stage.

He said: "Results are going great at Chelsea and we have a winning mentality and a feeling amongst the squad where we feel very confident.

"But football’s not always that simple and for England that hasn’t been how it’s gone at the moment. For England we have to keep in our minds how that feeling felt against Northern Ireland and Denmark but also look to be positive and get that winning mentality back into the team.

"Us Chelsea boys will try to bring a bit of confidence into the squad and hopefully we’ll have a confident attitude against Austria.

"Every team has moments in a season or over a few seasons when things aren’t going too well. I think with England if you look back over the last year there’s not many games we haven’t won and now we’ve had a little blip and it’s time for the players to stand up and be counted."

The goal, quite clearly, is for England to reach the World Cup finals by beating Austria and Poland and finishing top of their group.

"We have to get there," said Lampard. "It’s a massive occasion that I want to be involved in. It did hurt when I didn’t go to the last World Cup because I wasn‘t selected, it was a big disappointment for me.

"Now I’m much more prepared to impose myself on the stage of a World Cup and I’m desperate for a chance to do well there."

Click here to read the full transcription from Frank's press briefing