Frank Lampard, players need support from Everton fans ‘more than any time before’ – John McGill
John McGill has urged Everton supporters to get behind the team in a bid to have a better season this time around in the Premier League.
The Toffees had a difficult beginning to their 2022-23 campaign where they are one of the only three teams who are yet to secure a win in the league.
Speaking to talkSPORT about the chances of the Merseyside club’s survival this season, McGill believes Frank Lampard and his players will need support from the fans despite making a number of good signings at the end of the recently concluded transfer window.
“Well, I think Frank Lampard, when I hear him, he’s a smart guy,” he said. “He was an excellent player as a young coach. And what young coaches need, they need time, they need patience.
“Everton fans have got to get behind the manager and get behind the team. It’s a difficult time. I think in the last five years, Everton have wasted a lot of money on players.
“They paid over the odds on transfer fees and salaries, they’ve got it wrong, big time and it proves you that money doesn’t buy success in England.
“There are so many teams and lots of money, and the hard part is spending it wisely. And Everton haven’t spent money wisely in the last five years.
“But that’s not Frank’s work. Again, he’s got a tighter budget. He’s brought Idrissa Gueye back from Paris. He’s 32, but hopefully still got a good couple of years in the middle sat in front of the back line.
“He’s calm, wins the ball and keeps it simple. James Garner, I don’t know too much about him, but I believe he was excellent for Forest and the promotion push last year.
“Maupay scored goals for Brighton. Obviously missing Calvert-Lewin. So it’s going to be tough for everyone, but my message to Everton fans would be, your team needs you more than any time before.”
Big match ahead
Everton started their journey hoping to build on securing their place in the Premier League for another season after having a turbulent 2021-22 campaign where they were involved in an intense relegation battle.
However, their start this season has been far from perfect where they suffered a defeat in the opening fixture at home against Chelsea and lost to Aston Villa on matchday two.
Since then, things have somewhat improved as the Toffees, despite not managing to win any of the next three matches, did not suffer any more defeats either and had three draws against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Leeds United.
The fans will be hoping that those results will begin an improved phase for their team who now face their city rivals Liverpool in the next fixture on Saturday (September 3).
Lampard will be hoping that the arrival of two players on the deadline day and the availability of newly-signed striker Neal Maupay will help the players in pushing to take all three points against the Reds, especially while playing at home.