Everton career already on the line for Frank Lampard, Leeds game is make or break
It might only be Frank Lampard’s third game in charge of Everton but it is already a near make or break situation for the Toffees’ latest boss.
The 4-1 FA Cup triumph at home to Brentford has been long forgotten after Newcastle United ran rings around the Blues at St. James’ Park to drag them further into the relegation scrap.
They now host Leeds at Goodison Park with Lampard’s Everton career already at a defining moment.
The Toffees have some really tough games coming up and they cannot afford to go into those games in the bottom three.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Aston Villa in midweek but it will have worried Lampard to his core.
The Whites were relentless in their tempo and attacking in vast numbers, which is exactly what undid the Toffees in the Northeast 24 hours earlier.
If they come and do the same again, as they should, then it could be a long afternoon for Evertonians.
They travel to Southampton after that before a tricky trio of games against Manchester City, Wolves and Tottenham.
They also have to play West Ham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal before the end of the season so this game against Leeds is as crucial as any to pick up three valuable points.
A new centre-half partnership may be in use for Everton with Yerry Mina joining Ben Godfrey on the treatment table alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure, Demarai Gray, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph.
Leeds have had their own injury problems, but they are slowly easing despite the absences of Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips, which is handy for Lampard to say the least.
Failure to win on Saturday though and it could be all over before it’s really begun for the Premier League legend.
In other Everton news, a journalist has shared what a Chelsea source has said about this new backroom staff member.