Lamps out = Lights out?

So Frank Lampard, stalwart of Chelsea and England, is out of the Euro 2012 tournament. There has been the predictable wailing and gnashing of teeth in the English media about how this will affect England's chances this summer and how this is a mortal blow to Roy Hodgson's team. "Lamps out, lights out" perhaps. Whilst we will all have sympathy for Lampard as this is likely to be the last chance for him to play in a major tournament for England, it is not too devastating a blow to England performing creditably in Ukraine and Poland. Clearly, Lampard has been an extremely successful player at club level, achieving the accolade of being the first midfielder to score 150 goals in the Premiership in April this year, but his record at international level is nothing to crow about and he has never really shone for England since making his debut in 1999. He is part of the 'golden generation' of English players, which include Gerrard, Ferdinand and Terry, who have flattered to deceive and it has been detrimental to England's chances to imagine that this group of players would deliver on all their promise and potential. They have not and will not. There has been a pressing need to inject some fresh blood into this squad for several years now and the passing of the "old guard" should be accelerated to allow younger players the opportunity to gain worthwhile experience during tournaments. It is personally tough for Lampard but he and his peers have had their chance and it is now time to leave the stage gracefully and allow the understudies the chance to shine. So Lamps is indeed out but let's usher some leading lights in.