Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage back Frank Lampard amid sack claims at Everton
Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage have jumped to the defence of Everton boss Frank Lampard after it emerged he was bookies favourite to be sacked first this season.
Lampard opened the Premier League season with a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park to Chelsea, having been forced to field a makeshift attack due to injuries and a lack of options.
And while speaking to William Hill, Ferdinand and Savage were stunned to find out that the former England international was the odds-on favourite to be the first manager sacked this season and quickly wanted to defend him for the job he’s done so far.
“Is he? Wow,” Ferdinand said. “I don’t think so. I can’t see that. I think there’s a few that would be before him.
“I just feel there’s going to be other teams that will struggle a bit more and maybe have a history of struggling for a longer period than him.”
Robbie Savage also came to his defence, and said that any improvement on last season means he’s done a good job.
“He went into Everton, Rafa Benitez went and it didn’t work,” he said. “Frank had to lift them and he saved them from relegation.
“If you look at Frank now, he’s done an amazing job to keep Everton up, and he’s arguably got a worse squad than last year. So what are the expectations of Everton fans for Frank? If Frank finished 15th this year, arguably he’s done a good job.
“Are the expectations for Everton fans, because it’s Everton Football Club, to finish in the top 10? Everton used to be the best of the rest. That’s not Everton anymore, look where Everton are.”
Realistic
It’s nice to see two level headed pundits discussing Everton’s problems right now, because what they said is true.
Yes Lampard has got a big job on his hand and he’s not completely blameless if things go pear shaped, but his job has arguably only got harder this summer rather than easier.
He lost his best player and hasn’t replaced him adequately yet, and while he has strengthened the team defensively it’s goals that win games.
The club’s expectations need to be recalibrated because right now Everton are not a club that are in a position to be challenging for European positions or even a top half finish.
Big changes need to come and whether Lampard is capable of delivering is up in the air, but fans must be patient and the board must stick by him even if it gets a little rough to ensure they come through it on the other side.