Frank Lampard is too ‘naïve’ to save Everton from relegation – Paul Merson
Everton are in “dire straights” and Frank Lampard might be too “naïve” to save them from relegation according to Paul Merson.
The 5-0 hammering away to Tottenham has seen the mood around the club plummet, and the pressure on the two upcoming home games mount immeasurably.
And former England striker Merson saw enough worrying signs in the defeat in London to make him doubt the Toffees manager’s ability to turn things around.
In his Daily Star column, he writes: “Their next two games are cup finals: Wolves and Newcastle at home. Wow. They need at least four points or they will be favourites to go down.
“But they are in dire straits because they could be in the bottom three by the time they play on Sunday and then the pressure really cranks up.
“Getting smashed has made their goal difference so bad Burnley could go above them with a draw at Brentford before they play.
“I’m not sure Lampard can get them out of this. It was naïve the way he played against Spurs. I saw a weaker Everton team than that get a draw at Chelsea.
“But he went after Tottenham with a weak back four and a striker who isn’t fully fit, and it only took one player not pressing properly to let Spurs in on that defence.”
Ominous
Some of what Merson says makes a worrying amount of sense which is not something Toffees fans want to hear with the club a point above the relegation zone.
The daunting fixture list doesn’t make for relaxing reading either, especially considering one of the two big home opportunities against Wolves will see the opponents arrive off the back of a 4-0 win.
The club has reached the point where virtually all hopes are being pinned on the Goodison fans as much as the actual men on the pitch.
There is such a strong contrast between the performances at home and on the road that the twelfth man might be Everton’s best player this season.
Injuries are playing a role in the poor play, with Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey’s absences thrusting Michael Keane into the spotlight that he could right now do without.
And the fitness worries around Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also robbed Lampard of potentially his biggest goal threat.
It all adds up to a worrying situation but a win against Wolves will bring back some belief.
In other Everton news, Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has apologised to the club for his recent comments.
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