Ex-Blue Melchiot believes Lampard deserves fair opportunity

Mario Melchiot has said he believes Frank Lampard will finish the season.

The ex-Chelsea man has compared Lampard's situation to Sir Alex Ferguson's initial seasons at Man United.

He added that Lampard should be sacked if he fails to bounce back after this.

“I think they will definitely let him finish the season,” ex-Blues defender Melchiot told Stadium Astro of Lampard.

“When you go after a new manager, you normally try and change things before a busy period comes.

“With Frank, I want him to get a fair opportunity. When you talk about Liverpool, Man United, City, it takes times. With Alex Ferguson, it took him a long time. At Chelsea it is a similar situation. Let him see what he can do.

“If Frank doesn’t bounce back from this situation then they can pull him up, but I don’t think that is the time yet.”

Frank Lampard has a number of games in the month of January that will provide a suitable test for him to make a statement.

Along with the manager, some of the players also need to step up as Chelsea could still challenge for the biggest prizes if they can arrest their festive slump.