Frank Lampard declares he has ‘fallen in love’ with Everton in emotional message to fans
Frank Lampard says he has “fallen in love” with Everton in an emotional pre-match message to the fans ahead of the clash with Leicester tonight (20 April).
The former Chelsea manager has his side three points above the relegation zone with eight Premier League games left to play.
He has only won three of the 10 league games he has taken charge of since his arrival in January, leading to some suggestions he won’t last long at Goodison, but in his programme notes ahead of tonight’s game he has affirmed his commitment to the cause.
Liverpool Echo reporter Tony Scott shared on his Twitter the Toffees managers’ words from the match programme, which read: “We won’t leave anything on the field in our effort to earn three more valuable points.
“We can’t wait to play at Goodison again and feel that togetherness between the players and supporters.
“I’ve fallen in love with the place already, I have so much respect for your feelings about Everton.
“You are honest and passionate and rightly demand those qualities are reflected on the pitch.
“We are in the business right now of getting results any which way, it won’t always be beautiful football, but the energy and endeavour will be right at the top level.
“I have ambitions for Everton and they’re mirrored by everybody at the Club. I want to implement a good style of play and move forwards.
“But first things first, we are in a fight, and another win tonight will move us closer to coming out of it on the right side.
“We look forward to once again being backed by your passionate support.”
Tightrope
The manager is hitting the right notes but he knows as well as anybody that he can’t take that support for granted.
The home fans appear to have done as much as any player in dragging the team towards safety in the league, with nine points eked out at Goodison compared to nothing on the road.
Hugely contrasting performances at home and away show how vital the support from the stands is to the Toffees’ hopes of survival.
But there is more than an element of bargaining to Lampard’s words as he asks fans to get behind what he knows may be a low quality side now, in the hopes of securing future development.
He is well aware how unhappy they have been with some dreadful capitulations this season, and indeed with how the club has been run in general.
If the side that beat Manchester United turns out against the Foxes then the ex-England star stands a much better chance of implementing his plans.
If the one that has turned up for virtually any away game in recent memory does, then nobody can count on a long-term future at the club.
In other Everton news, the club have a secret funder ready to put around £300million into the new stadium but are keeping his name “under wraps”.
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