TWEET WITH RESPECT Lamps wants social media fans to go easy on players

FRANK LAMPARD has called on the nation’s keyboard warriors to call a truce during the World Cup.

The new Derby County manager, who won 106 caps during a playing career that took him from West Ham to Chelsea, Manchester City and New York City, knows how public criticism can damage players when they need the backing of the fans most.

Lampard reckons he was lucky to play the bulk of his football before the social media boom gave every armchair supporter easy access to hammer the game’s megastars.

He believes that growing a thick skin is now just as important as developing a deft first touch or an eye for goal – but hopes that the bar-room barrackers will ease up on Gareth Southgate’s men during the next month.

Lampard said: “I never did social media, but the modern game is so different to when I was playing for England, and it now seems like every player has got a Twitter or Facebook account.

“So it’s very difficult for players not to be made aware of what is being said about them.

“When I was a player, the TV would be on or your friends would ring you up and say, ‘I can’t believe what’s being written about you.’

“You have to develop a thick skin. I certainly did – and it is now a big part of being an England player.

“It’s very hard to switch your phone off for four to six weeks during a tournament and distance yourself that way.

“So it’s the responsibility of every England player to be thick-skinned and just get on with it.

“But by the same token, the media and keyboard warriors out there should not be too critical of our lads because if there is one thing I can guarantee it’s that they are all passionate about playing for their country.

“Each and every one of them will go to Russia determined to do their best and try to win that tournament.

“That’s an absolute given. People should respect that.”

Lampard, who has taken his first steps into management in the Championship at Pride Park, will be working as a pundit for the BBC during the World Cup.

He insists that he will not be pulling any punches when he’s on the small screen.

But he believes that players can face up to criticism that’s constructive.

He said: “Criticism is normal. It’s part and parcel of the game. If it’s about how the team is playing, about the tactics that the manager is using, then as an international player you accept it.

“But there is also criticism that crosses the line – and that’s not going to help anybody.

“We’ve seen what has happened with Raheem Sterling and I applaud him for talking about it.

“The easy thing is to get behind the team before the first game, but the most important time to stick with them is when something goes wrong.”

■ FIFA World Cup 2018 is live on the BBC across TV, Radio and Online starting June 14.