Lampard: Crisis, what crisis?

Midfielder and vice-captain Lampard, 31, said there had been no clear-the-air crisis talks between players and the manager which former captain John Terry had indicated would take place on Sunday evening.

Instead, he said, the squad held a routine meeting to review their performance in last Friday's dismal 0-0 draw against Algeria, their second disappointing Group C outing at the finals. In their first, they drew 1-1 with the United States.

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"It was nothing like that, nothing like the way it has been reported back home," said Lampard, adding he was "baffled" by suggestions that a rebellious "gang of nine" had plotted to overhaul the team's shape and tactics.

"First and foremost, I don't think anybody likes to give too much away about meetings - they are an in-house thing and they should stay like that to a certain extent," said Lampard.

"Really, the manager spoke, himself, and we watched Algeria game. It was a poor performance and we all knew that and the manager addressed that game. From what I've heard, the reports back home have been completely overdone."

TERRY "MISUNDERSTOOD"

Terry told reporters that nine players met in Cape Town last Friday evening to examine the side's failings and, saying he represented the players and the team, said it was time to air truths that might upset the manager.

"That is John for you, he is a passionate man and a passionate player, but it was just an ordinary meeting. We have three or four of them each week to look at different things and, no, it was not heated at all," he said.

Lampard denied the squad was split into factions divided by those who supported Capello's strict regime and rigid tactics and those who wanted more freedom on and off the field.

"I don't think I am a rebel," he said. "Far from it. It was just a few of the lads sitting there and talking about