Graeme Souness lets rip on ‘negative’ Everton boss Frank Lampard
Graeme Souness slammed “negative” Frank Lampard for putting Everton on the backfoot against Brentford on Sunday [May 15].
The Blues found themselves 2-1 up at the end of the first half but down to ten men following Jarrad Brainthwaite’s controversial red card for bringing down Ivan Toney as he was seemingly through on goal.
Down to ten men, the Toffees quickly found themselves behind 3-2 and the Toffees boss turned to Salomon Rondon to come on to rescue a point but the Toffees’ day got even worse with the forward red-carded a mere matter of minutes after being subbed on.
Speaking to Sky Sports via Daily Star, Souness slammed the Merseysiders: “I thought they’d do well today and win today. They’ve put themselves back into a difficult situation. They can’t complain.
“Everton were doing okay. This isn’t a criticism, half-time comes, and Frank sits them down and goes over how they’re going to play.
“They just sat three or four yards deeper because of what the manager said, there’s nothing wrong with what they’ve said. But psychologically for the players, they were on the backfoot, whereas in the first half, even with 10 men, they were more adventurous.
“During the first half, when they were down to 10 men, they were doing well. You have to say, what they said would be correct, but it plants a negative seed in the players’ heads.”
Stupidity.
It was a very disappointing result on a day when Everton could and really should have secured their Premier League safety.
Leeds dropped points, Burnley lost – all the Blues had to do is go out and win the game, something they have proven themselves to be capable of and looked like doing until Branthwaite was sent off.
It was a stupid mistake from the defender but you have to feel for him – he is very young and has been thrown in at the deep end.
Make no mistake, it’s hugely disappointing but he will learn from it. Rondon’s red card on the other hand is far less forgivable. As Jesse Marsch’s side proved, a point can change a lot in a relegation battle as tight as this one and the striker had the opportunity to potentially rescue one for the Toffees.
It might have been a long shot but nowhere near as unlikely as doing it with nine men on the pitch.
The performance was good but it was stupid mistakes that let Lampard’s side down that will see the fight continue.
In other Everton news, Sean Dyche has lifted the lid on a private talk with Lampard after he insulted the Blues.
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