Frank Lampard has urged the country to get behind England's young players in the wake of their disappointing World Cup campaign.
Much had been made of how the Three Lions' emerging young players would fare in Brazil after manager Roy Hodgson selected the second-youngest England 23-man squad in World Cup history for Brazil.
But while Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley drew early praise in England's opening 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, there have been no headline grabbing performances such as that by Michael Owen and his eye-catching display against Argentina at France 1998 aged just 18.
The experienced players have not showered themselves in glory either with a post mortem of England's entire World Cup showing already beginning in earnest.
But Lampard, who knows plenty of England fans' sufferings at the World Cup having missed a penalty in the 2006 quarter-final penalty shootout to Portugal before seeing his 'goal' disallowed against Germany four years later, believes the current young players are the right ones for England.
"The players who have come in are the ones we have been crying out for in the aftermath of South Africa," said Lampard, capped 105 times.
"The likes of Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw – they have got great potential, the best thing we can do is let them develop.
"They will make mistakes at a young age, but a lot of them have shown they can do.
"I think people can be forgiving, they've seen the young players who have shown a glimpse of what they can do.
"I will talk to them if they want, you have to have thick skins in this industry. I'll let them know if they get negative stuff next year, it quickly fizzles out as long as they play well. That is football, it goes in phases."
With Steven Gerrard dropping down to the bench for already eliminated England, Lampard has been handed the armband for the game against Costa Rica.
But despite uncertainly over both his club and international future, the 36-year-old insists he will wait until after the tournament to decide on his next move.
"I haven't made a decision on my future. I'm pleased to be involved against Costa Rica. After the game I'll think about my future," he added.
"We are all disappointed with the campaign, but I can't say that looking back on my career it's been a disappointment."
