‘Confidence levels are low – it smacks you in the face’: Frank Lampard warns ‘there is no magic wand’ to fix Everton after bitterly disappointing Newcastle defeat
- Frank Lampard watched Everton take the lead and throw it away almost instantly
- Newcastle fought back to win 3-1 and drag Toffees into relegation scrap
- Magpies are two points clear now but Everton fans will be mighitly concerned
- Lampard admits there is no hiding from the fact that confidence is low
Frank Lampard has admitted that lack of confidence in Everton’s players ‘smacks you in the face’, following their 3-1 defeat at Newcastle.
The Toffees have been on a dreadful run that saw Rafa Benitez sacked and replaced by the former Derby and Chelsea boss.
After a positive start in the win over Brentford in the FA Cup, Lampard watched his side throw away a lead to leave St James’ Park with nothing to show for their efforts.
Everton are being dragged into a relegation battle after their 3-1 defeat by Newcastle
Afterwards he told BT Sport: ‘The confidence and belief has to be built and worked on the training ground. We are here a short time and it needs to change quickly because we want to get results.’
‘Of course the players’ confidence levels are low – it smacks you in the face.
‘When I came to the club it was on a bad run of results. There is no magic wand to fix that. This is the Premier League – it’s tough.
‘The only thing to do is work hard and look forward. It was never going to be easy and this result puts it into sharp focus, but we must build that confidence.
He added: ‘This is one we will have to reflect on, but it is normal to be down and disappointed. My job is to get them up for the next game.
Frank Lampard says the lack of confidence among his players – is like a slap in the face
‘We have been here for one week Newcastle have had time to work. Both clubs know the direction they want to go, but we have to give time to the players who have come in.
‘This was never going to be a simple ride and we need a sharp focus on what we are doing.’
Asked if they were in a survival fight ahead of Leeds’ weekend visit to Goodison Park, Lampard said: ‘It’s just words to say that.
‘We can’t get ahead of ourselves and look at the big picture. The only focus is on Leeds to reproduce the way we played against Brentford to try to get a result there and take every game step by step.’
Newcastle are now two points off the relegation zone after enjoying back-to-back wins
Lampard must now prepare his side for a tricky encounter against Leeds in their next game
Lampard, however, felt Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey was fortunate to escape with a yellow card for a first-half challenge on Anthony Gordon.
He said: ‘It wasn’t a nice challenge. It’s not worth reflecting too much on it. It’s somewhere around a red.
‘It was definitely an endangering the safety of a player tackle and that’s normally the parameter they go by.’