Frank Lampard has said Farhad Moshiri’s vote of confidence has not alleviated pressure on his position and he and his players must take responsibility to haul Everton out of relegation danger.
The Everton owner this week claimed he retained faith in Lampard despite one win in 10 Premier League games leaving the team third from bottom. Moshiri also backed the under-fire board in his letter to the Everton Fans’ Forum, prompting several resignations from the forum and the Fan Advisory Board.
Everton have yet to improve Lampard’s attacking options in this transfer window and have seen rivals strengthen at their expense, with the club missing out on Kevin Schade and Georginio Rutter to Brentford and Leeds respectively. Moshiri’s backing may have arrived at an important time for Lampard with Everton hosting relegation rivals Southampton on Saturday, but the manager knows his job prospects depend on an upturn in results.
Lampard, asked whether the owner’s letter had lifted the pressure on him, replied: “No. It’s my job to get on with things. I’m not making light of the statement at all but, genuinely, I’ve been in this game a long time. I left Chelsea having beaten Luton in the FA Cup and while preparing for the next game. It’s the job. I don’t get carried away when it’s the other way around. I don’t win a game or two and expect a new contract. You just have to work.”
A wide range of Everton supporter groups have planned a sit-in demonstration against the board after the Southampton game. Lampard believes the fans have every right to protest but that his team cannot be distracted from the task of winning a first league game since October.
“Myself and the players have to be the first ones, me the first, who do not get distracted by anything because this is a big game for us in terms of our league position, the points, and what it would mean if can win the game,” he said. “The fans have an absolute right to protest.
“From my point of view and the players’ point of view, our only thing now is to have personal responsibility. That is our job. We have to think about ourselves and performing. I think if the fans see that in the game and see it from Everton players and staff then I think they will react positively.”
