Frank Lampard has warned Everton that they cannot rely on the inspiration of Goodison Park to haul themselves out of trouble and must seize responsibility for ending their dreadful away form.
Everton visit Leicester on Sunday and Watford on Wednesday in desperate need of a first away win since August as they attempt to avoid relegation. Lampard’s team kept Premier League survival in their hands with last weekend’s victory over Chelsea, and have won as many home matches this season – eight – as Thomas Tuchel’s side. Their away form is the worst in the division, however, and the Everton manager insists his team must show the same intensity on the road as they do before a passionate Goodison crowd.
Lampard said: “As you saw with Liverpool in the first half at Villarreal and what happened in Madrid the next day, being at home does have a huge effect; on fans, momentum and moments. But in the position we are in, we can’t have that as our ‘out’. We can’t have so long a period without winning away from home. That has to be on us. We have to own it now and get results away in these last games.”
Jordan Pickford performed heroics in the win over Chelsea and Lampard believes the wider recognition that followed for the England international is long overdue. “He lives right, he trains well – every day,” he said. “He’s very low maintenance and a good character. I’m delighted that Jordan is getting the recognition he deserves because sometimes people are very quick to jump on negatives. Last week there were big positives.
“He’s got style and that’s part of his personality. One thing I would say on the outside, probably not on the pitch so much, is that if people question someone who has got personality or shows it in different ways, it’s unfair to criticise them. We like to see that, do we not? Certainly in the world of social media and instant reactions, if he’s going to have a pint with his mates then these things get blown up. That’s why it’s really nice to talk about him and what a great professional he is.
“He’s a lad who has got personality and a character within the team. He’s a huge talent and that is all I have to worry about. I’m very fortunate to work with a goalkeeper of his level. He’s one of the leaders in our dressing room because of his stature and what he has done in the game.”
