Football: Embattled Lampard insists he doesn’t ‘need reassurances’ over his Everton future
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Everton manager Frank Lampard gesturing during his team's match against Brighton on Jan 3, 2023.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Embattled Everton manager Frank Lampard said his team must “have the same work ethic as we had at City” when they face their in-form local rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on Friday.
The Toffees earned a surprise 1-1 English Premier League draw
That form has seen them plunge into the drop zone as they sit in 18th place with 15 points from 18 games. Not that Lampard sees the FA Cup as a respite from a Premier League relegation fight.
He said on Thursday: “I don’t see it that way. The FA Cup is a competition of pride for Everton in its history and, for me, in my history. I give it the same importance.
“It’s a different competition but, on the back of the feeling after Brighton (a 4-1 home defeat on Tuesday),
“It is a similar type of stadium we are going to (Old Trafford). Man United are a good team with good individuals. We’ll have to be diligent, organised and have the same work ethic as we had at City.”
As for Lampard’s own work ethic, he said he does not “need reassurances” despite reports suggesting that Everton could reignite their interest in his former England teammate Wayne Rooney should they seek a change in the dugout.
Said Lampard: “I never seek reassurances; my job is to focus day to day, game to game. I don’t need reassurances, I want to improve everything every day.
“I came here nearly a year ago and my honest feeling was we were going in the direction of relegation. Evertonians have such passion for this club and we managed to have an incredible time together. It is going to be a tough journey; surviving a relegation battle is all well and good but it is a process. I’m not silly, we need results.”
The 44-year-old former Derby County and Chelsea boss insisted the club have progressed since he replaced Rafael Benitez just over 11 months ago, even if the league table does not reflect that.
He argued: “Yes, I have – in the way we have tried to take the squad forward. We have tried to bring in players to help us going forward. In terms of the league position, not really, but the reality is that it takes time and work.
“If you look at Arsenal’s journey, you see how a journey can look. It’s not an easy road and it comes with huge investment. You can’t see it from the outside but, in my opinion, yes.”
With pressure mounting on the Englishman, former Everton captain Alan Stubbs insisted that while “Lampard has to take huge responsibility, but the board have got to take a lot of this criticism as well”.
He told the BBC: “Unfortunately, sacking managers is the easy way out. I hope they give him a bit more time and a bit of the window, but they have a decision to make...
“They have got to decide whether they are going to back him or give him three games and then see what happens after that. I think the big question marks should be pointed at the board. They have overseen the last five or six years of mediocrity.”
He added: “I think it is very obvious. We have had a board that have meddled in the transfers... Everton have spent over £500 million (S$800.8 million) in the last six, seven years on a team that is worse now than before they started spending.”
Everton will be without injured defenders Nathan Patterson, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane as well as attackers Anthony Gordon, Andros Townsend and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Former Manchester United youth product James Garner will also miss out.
United will be missing midfielder Donny van de Beek and defender Axel Tuanzebe while wide men Antony and Jadon Sancho are major doubts. The Red Devils could have a new addition to the squad with goalkeeper Jack Butland expected to undergo a medical checkup imminently.
While forward Marcus Rashford has hogged the limelight for United with his goal rush, Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo has hailed the impact of his compatriot Casemiro.
He said: “He is the boss of the United midfield, helping his defence in becoming not so vulnerable and, at the same time, still having the guts to go forward and score some goals.”
He added: “The United team is clearly improving since his arrival. They are closing in on third place and dreaming about an eventual title fight that no one saw coming a few months ago.”
