Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas full of praise for Everton boss Frank Lampard after Southampton win
Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas were both in agreement that Everton boss Frank Lampard secured a major achievement with the win over Southampton this weekend.
The Toffees hit back immediately to come from a goal down to record a second consecutive victory in the Premier League on Saturday (1 October), triumphing 2-1 on the south coast.
Having opened the season with two defeats, the former Chelsea boss has now not been beaten since, and has seen his side climb to 11th in the table, while also advancing in the EFL Cup in that time.
On his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel (3 October, 68mins) the former England captain said: “Frank Lampard, seven unbeaten, seven unbeaten… he’s stopped the rot hasn’t he.”
Jenas backed him up to add: “Back to back wins if big for him. Huge.”
Growing reputation
Lampard may have arrived at Goodison as something of the least bad option when Farhad Moshiri was trying to parachute in Vitor Pereira.
The jury was still out after reasonable but unspectacular jobs at Stamford Bridge and at Derby, but on the current evidence the Everton boss is developing quickly at Goodison Park.
It took some time to get a grasp of a rapidly deteriorating situation last season, as the relegation battle was already in full swing when he arrived at the end of January, but following his tactical switch to a more defensive set up the fortunes began to turn.
The bond he has forged with the fans is no mean feat considering the unpopularity of Pereira, predecessor Rafa Benitez, and the likes of Sam Allardyce before him, and proved crucial as the support helped drag the club to safety.
Despite operating with financial instability and a seemingly endless stream of significant injuries, as well as eyebrow-raising officiating, he has corrected his defensive issues to such a degree that the Toffees now have the best goals conceded record in the league.
Mid-table may not appear to be anything to shout about, but having avoided relegation and started the season without a striker it is a significant step up, and the seven games unbeaten in all competitions are certainly not to be sniffed at for a side heading in the right direction.