Franks For The Memories

Frank Lampard senior gave an interview after the penultimate game of the season which turned out to be the last while he was at West Ham.

Shortly after the Southampton game he spoke openly and honestly about his disappointment at how the campaign was drawing to a close - and determination about how things would have to improve.

40 hours later he had left the club.

Thus far, Frank has kept his counsel on the matter but here, for the record, are extracts of his last interview which can be heard in full on RealAudio.

Firstly, speaking of the win over Southampton, he said:

"It was one of those games where we needed to put things to bed and luckily we did it.

"I thought we played well in the second half, but it was a shame we were in this position in the first place.

"We had a decent start to the season, and then we had a good cup run and all of a sudden you come out of the cup run and you are on the back foot, there is a loss of confidence, and you are under pressure, and we have not been used to being down there.

"Getting knocked out in the cup, especially by Tottenham, made everyone feel a bit let down, and we made hard work of it before the end of the season.

"We were trying to get a result and they weren't coming; thank god we got the point at Villa and beat Derby at home - other than that we have not done too much for ourselves in these last seven or eight games.

"Today was the result we needed, but they could have had a couple of goals and i wouldn't like to think what would have happened then.

"But we played well in the second half which made up for the first half."

Of Joe's cracking strike, Frank said:

"That's what he needs to do, scoring goals is important to him if he is to be a star player.

"Some people score goals and some don't, and that's how it has always been; he has to get into the mode of someone who does score goals and hopefully next year he will be looking at double figures at least."

Could Joe play with Paolo, in Frank's view?

"That is something we will have to sit and think about in the close season, but on today's showing it looked OK - certainly in the second 45 minutes.

"We'll have to see what happens in the next month or so and look at the thing properly now, adding and subtracting people."

Whether Frank stays in football remains to be seen; he has a successful property business which he had built up by the time he returned to West Ham as assistant boss and was still very active running that.

He always had a smile and a friendly quip for people at the club and, like Harry, will always be made welcome whenever he visits.

He will be missed.