Premier League - Murphy: Lamps had right to reply

Eurosport - Fri, 01 May 13:05:00 2009

Eurosport-Yahoo! blogger and Fulham captain Danny Murphy has sympathy for the media troubles of Chelsea's Frank Lampard, who he faces in a West London derby this weekend.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Premier League Fulham's Danny Murphy and Chelsea's Michael Ballack - 0

I have felt for Frank Lampard this week and think that he had every right to phone up and say his piece on the radio when he heard people he didn't know talking about his personal life.

I think most people who heard it understood his grievances as it's not nice to hear negative comments said about you, especially when the person involved does not know you or the facts of the situation.

In some respect it is part and parcel of the job to deal with the media intrusion, and if they are discussing your football talents - or lack of them - then you should take it on the chin.

However, if people start to push the boundaries and criticise personality, beliefs and someone's morals it is too far to be acceptable. It's difficult for such high profile players who are always in the spotlight.

I seem to have avoided the attention easily and was only ever in it while I was playing for Liverpool and England. The media usually only focus on negative stories and I have been fortunate enough, fingers crossed, to have avoided this without ever actively trying.

My interpretation is no comparison to people like Lampard, Wayne Rooney, John Terry and Steven Gerrard. They are household names all over Europe and are always going to be analysed and critiqued more than players like myself.

It's not an easy aspect of the job but it is one that calls for you to grit your teeth and bear it.

I'm really looking forward to playing Chelsea at the weekend. It's a fantastic game and Fulham and Chelsea fans are not the best of friends to put it kindly.

The passion you see from both sets of supporters is incredible. I have been lucky enough to have played in some huge games - Liverpool v Everton, Liverpool v Manchester United, Tottenham v Arsenal - and they all have their own special atmosphere.

But the kind between Chelsea and Fulham is unexpected. It's a game that our fans look especially forward to as Chelsea are now one of the best teams in Europe and it would be a big feather in our cap if we could get another decent result against them.

Last year we got a draw at their place and earlier in the season we also drew at The Cottage, so we can head out there with confidence.

We are not playing under too much pressure. Although we would love to win a European place, we are no longer worrying about relegation.

We will be playing against wonderful players like Lampard and Michael Essien which will be tough, but we'll give it a hell of a go and give the fans something to sing about!

Danny Murphy / Eurosport

Comment 22 - 41 of 41

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  1. you're a great player & I man, Mr. Daniel­ Muprhy

    From Daniel Alex. F. Menezes, on Sat 2 May 5:17AM

  2. was i sleep posting or something? :P
    and Lampard's­ a decent guy. not as good as Gerrard, though.

    From Chris F, on Sat 2 May 3:18AM

  3. Respect 2 Frank!
    37#just tell me why? pls
    Frank is a­ very good man, one of the best midfield in the­ world!!
    Right on you Frank and CHELSEA!

    From zolironaszeki, on Fri 1 May 8:58PM

  4. great article...I really enjoy reading Danny's­ thoughts. He seems an honest and down-to-earth guy with­ a good overall view of things...the kids of guy you­ could sit down and have a proper chat with over a pint.

    From Joel, on Fri 1 May 4:01PM

  5. Speaking from experience, when you are dealing with a­ custodial battle, or just for access, in most cases the­ social services are in favour of the mother, now nobody­ knows wether lampard is going through the right chanels­ or not, but it took me 18 mnths for access to my two­ girls, and even tho it was me fighting for the right to­ see my kids the social worker advised the court against­ it, thankfully the judge ruled against it and i've­ been lucky enough to watch my girls grow up. I would­ like to think after going on the radio and telling the­ country his fellings he means it. Also there are many­ dads out there going through the same emotions as i did­ and it breaks your heart.

    From em.power1, on Fri 1 May 3:59PM

  6. I hate lampard but i respect the way he handled the­ negative comments. Come on MUFC.

    From codonnell95, on Fri 1 May 2:42PM

  7. Respect to frank.Looking out for his family and dealing­ with knobs at the same time.Right on.M.U.F.C

    From jamie, on Fri 1 May 2:39PM

  8. Tom.20. Fair play and good on ya! Be lucky.

    From Chris F, on Fri 1 May 2:35PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The reason Murphy was never slated in the press is­ basically down to him being a nomark journeyman player­ - how can he possibly compare himself to Fat Fwank­ Lump-o-lard

    From Rich, on Fri 1 May 2:34PM

  10. Its ok Chris I have given my fair share of cheap shots­ in the past at mancs too at the end of the day its just­ a sport and a bit of banter hurts no one

    From Frosty, on Fri 1 May 2:23PM

  11. Tom.20. Fair comment! I'll leave you and d.papas to­ it! Appologies to you and your fellow scousers for the­ cheap shots. No offence meant just banter.

    From Chris F, on Fri 1 May 2:18PM

  12. d.papas i didnt actually slag them off i just said i­ would rather be Scouse than any of them. Just as a Manc­ would Rather be a Manc than Scouser. Think about it!

    From Frosty, on Fri 1 May 2:10PM

  13. Tom.20, whilst i agree there is nothing wrong with­ being a scouse. You can hardly preach things such as­ "what foes arouund...." etc, then slag off a­ load of other areas, scotland, manchester, newc etc.­ MAKES YOU JUST A BAD, IF NOT WORSE (Hypocrite)

    From d.papas, on Fri 1 May 2:02PM

  14. Tom.20. Aye and you probably knicked that!

    From Chris F, on Fri 1 May 1:51PM

  15. Chris F there is nothing wrong with being a Scouser. I­ would rather be Scouse than a Manc, Glaswegian, Cockney­ or Geordie. Just remember that Liverpool was the­ capital of culture last year mate!

    From Frosty, on Fri 1 May 1:35PM

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  17. Tom.20. I make my own luck and don't adhere to old­ wives tales. What comes around is whatever I envisaged!­ And it's always fine. If I'm f****d then so be­ it but you'll still be a scouser. I know which one­ I'd choose!!

    From Chris F, on Fri 1 May 1:21PM

  18. Chris F your a joker! I neither rob or take drugs or­ commit any other crime its just a cheap shot at a­ scouser but ill let you have them because im also a­ great beliver in what goes around comes around. So­ basiclly your fu**ed!

    From Frosty, on Fri 1 May 1:13PM

  19. Frank had every right to hit back. Players personal­ life shouldnt come into it. From a manu fan. Right on­ you Frank

    From chrysoullavasiliou, on Fri 1 May 1:08PM

  20. Tom.20.Fowler is nobody. Well you certainly­ couldn't do it. Now go and swipe some wheel trims.­ There's a good little div!!!!!!!

    From Chris F, on Fri 1 May 1:07PM
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