Frank Lampard has called on his Everton side to show resilience.© AFP
Everton manager Frank Lampard has downplayed ‘crisis’ talk at the club, even though they could be in the Premier League’s relegation zone by the time they kick off against Wolves on Sunday. Monday’s 5-0 capitulation at Tottenham was Everton’s fourth defeat in five league games since the former Chelsea boss took charge, but Lampard said he found it difficult to accept “immediate negativity” after defeats. Referring to reports of a “crisis meeting”, Lampard said on Friday: “I had seasons as a player when we had them (player meetings) and won the Champions League. I’m not showing off there, it’s just reality.
“The idea is that we find the answer and the solution. Hearing players talk a little bit is important to me and some players spoke and that’s good.”
“But it has to belong to me as a coach. I’m new to the club, so sometimes I find it a little hard to accept the constant negativity that immediately sets in here when something goes wrong, because I don’t feel it.”
“This is football, it happens and we have to correct it. The only way to correct it is by training well, showing resilience and showing character. That is my message.”
Lampard’s team are one point above the relegation zone heading into the weekend, but a win or draw for Burnley at Brentford on Saturday would put Everton into the bottom three before Wolves visit Goodison Park.
promoted
Everton welcome Ben Godfrey, who tore a hamstring in Lampard’s first game in early February, and attacker Demarai Gray, who has missed the last two games due to illness.
“Maybe there will be a change because maybe we have players back who are available who weren’t there,” said Lampard.
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