Frank Lampard is becoming quite familiar with pressurised afternoons at Goodison Park. Despite only being in charge of Everton for little under 12 months, he has already had his fair share of nip-and-tuck matches and the need for a response from his players is pressing once more.
Saturday’s encounter with Southampton is the latest occasion when the heat will be on the Everton manager and his charges. It pits 18th-placed Everton with the Premier League’s bottom team, but the desire for a home win at an anxious Goodison will be all-consuming given Everton's need for points.
Everton’s last league triumph came in October when Crystal Palace were brushed aside 3-0, their last away win was on the south coast against Southampton. The run of four defeats and two draws has seen Lampard’s team become engulfed in a second relegation battle in as many seasons. Across those six games, Everton have scored only three goals and conceded 12.
Mustering a win against Southampton, who will be buoyed after eliminating Manchester City from the League Cup in midweek, is a necessity for this under-pressure side. Supporters have organised a sit-in protest following the game in another act of disapproval towards the club’s ownership and board. However, the players will be supported and the team coach is set for a rallying welcome to the stadium.
Lampard has said that the team, along with himself, must take ‘personal responsibility’ for what happens on the pitch and not be distracted by the off-field noise. “Myself and the players have to not get distracted. It’s a big game, for points, the league,” he said.
“The fans have an absolute right [to protest]. From our point of view, our only thing is to have personal responsibility. We have to think about ourselves and performing.”
The Everton manager spoke with the club’s majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, during the week and received a vote of confidence in the form of an open letter. Lampard continues to insist that he requires no backing from those in the Everton hierarchy, he knows that the time has come for an improvement in results.
Pivotal week in Everton's survival fight
Lampard has tried to take the team forward this season despite having his hands somewhat tied behind his back. Losing Richarlison without adequate replacement has undermined any perceived progress and Lampard will be forced to look to solidity this weekend.
A five-man defence has been used in Everton’s last two away games: the 1-1 draw away to Manchester City and the 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester United. Everton’s performance was the better for the defensive reassurance. The shipping of four goals to Brighton & Hove Albion in Everton’s last home game came as Lampard reverted to a back four; that will be a scar on his tenure but also should guide his thinking going forward.
Although Lampard would like to see his team play with panache, the reality of the situation is that Everton currently need to be tough to beat more than anything else. Goals have been hard to come by, albeit Dominic Calvert-Lewin is rested and ready to return to lead the attack.
Lampard has even admitted that he foresaw a similar struggle at the start of the season to when he joined the club last January.
“The start [to the season] was going to be tough but it was where we are building and for us that probably meant staying where we are in the league and that may be the reality,” said Lampard. “I don’t mean to sound negative. Once Richarlison moved, it’s hard to replace him, a unique player, Brazil’s number nine.
“We have to work within our budget, I have to get to work myself, improve as much as we possibly can, it’s a note of realism. I’m not saying that on my own, Evertonians know where we are. We want to get back to where we want to be. That was my feeling just being honest about it.”
If that sounded a touch negative on the eve of a must-win game, Lampard quickly re-phrased his comments. “I’ll take back those negative words, I’m a realist,” he continued.
“You understand it will be a fight, I don’t want to stay where we are, I want to improve, it’ll take time. We want to stay in this league, we want to move the style from where we were and move forward. The priority is results and improve on that. That will be progress.”
The one positive Lampard can take is that just seven points separate Aston Villa in 11th and Everton seven places lower. “If we can string together good results the picture will change,” he added.
Eight of the bottom half clubs face each other this weekend too, therefore there is plenty to play for. A trip to face West Ham United, another of the struggling sides, next weekend poses the chance for Everton to initiate a season-defining run. The stakes are high for Lampard and Everton.