Lampard: "England Needs To Improve"

Roy Hodgson's side experienced the highs and lows in their opening two fixtures with a 5-0 win in Moldova followed by a 1-1 home draw with Ukraine - a game they were on course to lose until Lampard struck from the spot.It was a reality check for promising youngsters like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tom Cleverley and highlighted the challenge facing England in the battle to reach Brazil in two years' time.Lampard said: ''There is a need to be patient. It won't always click straight away. It won't always click anyway. This is international football you are talking about and these are difficult games.''With young players, experienced players, it's about trying to find the right blend. We can get excited about the win in Moldova.''But you always have to keep your feet on the ground and understand it's a process of getting to where we want to be. Tuesday night was another night in that process.''Lampard's second spot-kick in successive matches salvaged a point against Ukraine who also provided England with a stern test during Euro 2012 before losing to a single goal.The Chelsea midfielder said: ''Ukraine are no mugs at all, they're a good team, they've got wingers who are particularly good on the ball, they have experience in the team.''It won't be an easy group, and Poland and Montenegro as well, will be teams that cause you problems. Poland and Montenegro have drawn already, and the group is pretty well balanced.''Poland in the next away game will be very tough.''Meanwhile Jermain Defoe is happy to operate as England's lone striker.Defoe was denied being on the scoresheet for the third successive game against Ukraine when his superb strike was ruled out for a push during the build-up.The Tottenham striker admits it can be a thankless task playing on his own in attack but is happy to carry out Hodgson's orders.Defoe said: ''It is sometimes hard work on your own upfront but it is important to be patient, keep running, and make sure your movement is good. That is what the manager said to me.''I said to the boys that Ukraine were getting tired towards the end of the game, that I'll keep running and making those runs and we'll get in.''You might not get as many touches as you would like in games.Sometimes when playing 4-4-2, you can drop in (behind) and it's not a problem because you've got another man up front.''But it is important to stay high and to be patient and clever with your movement. We created a lot of chances and maybe could have nicked it. I thought we were unlucky.''