From the Yorkshire Post's point of view, being seated among the press who had travelled from the Czech Republic was different – leading a couple of North of England based scribes to comment wryly: 'I didn't realise the YP sold so many copies in Prague."

It was not being the only Englishman in row six of the press box, however, that left this correspondent feeling that something wasn't quite right at Wembley during what was to be the final warm-up game before the World Cup qualifiers get underway.

No, it was the reaction of a near-70,000 crowd during what was admittedly a wretched display from Fabio Capello's men that was the most unnerving.

Now, booing at the end of a game is understandable – especially after a performance like Wednesday night.

The fans pay a lot of money to watch football and that means they have earned the right to comment.

But what happened during the 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic was very different with even the reading of Frank Lampard's name ahead of kick-off when the teams were announced drawing jeers from the crowd.

Booing the Chelsea midfielder is nothing new, of course, and he was on the receiving end of more stick from the stands when substituted by Capello 11 minutes from time.

Why Lampard is singled out in this way is a mystery.

If it is below-par performances in an England shirt, then why is Steven Gerrard not afforded similar treatment?

Or if the Three Lions fans feel he is over-paid, then once again why is Lampard singled out? It is not as if his international team-mates are relative paupers.

Lampard is not the first – and, unfortunately, won't be the last – player to suffer in this way.

Having travelled around Europe watching England for many years, I have seen the likes of Owen Hargreaves and Emile Heskey given the dog's abuse by a group of supporters who now applaud their every move.

As distasteful as Lampard's treatment was on Wednesday, however, this was not the worst element from an England point of view.

Instead, it was the manner in which the team's display deteriorated as the rumblings of discontent became more and more evident in the stands.

Petr Cech touched on the subject after the game at Wembley, the Czech goalkeeper, who plays for Chelsea, finding it difficult to understand why the fans were so quick to turn on their own players. He said: "I was disappointed they didn't support their team and I have never felt this during my five years in the Premier League.

"It is difficult for England to play like this and it has been like it for quite a long time.

"You can feel the tension, you can see they play with tension.

"They have so much commitment, they really want to do well. But sometimes it is too much pressure."

It is because of this pressure that it is perhaps a good thing that three of England's first four World Cup qualifiers – and in particular the potentially decisive trip to Croatia – are being played away from the pit of disillusionment that Wembley is fast becoming.