Frank Lampard has told his players to “enjoy” the prospect of being underdogs against Newcastle United. Everton travel to St James’ Park next Wednesday for the second test in their tricky upcoming double-header.
An away clash against Tottenham Hotspur comes first - providing a stern test for the Toffees that could serve as the acid test for their prospects this season. Many tipped Everton for relegation after surviving by the skin of their teeth in 2021-22.
A stunning 3-2 turnaround win over Crystal Palace secured survival on the penultimate game and, despite the doom-mongers predicting another season of disaster, Lampard has steadied the ship. Two wins and four draws from their opening nine games has Everton sitting 12th in the Premier League.
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While 10 points from nine fixtures is hardly making a splash, the Toffees appear a more stable club than they were a few months ago. However, back-to-back trips to two in-form sides will give Lampard a greater assessment of his squad.
Spurs sit third in the Premier League while a resurgent Newcastle have lost just once - against Liverpool in April - at home in 2022. The Toffees’ boss wants his team to relish the challenge and showcase their new-found confidence.
“People may make us underdogs in these two matches,” Lampard told Everton’s media channel. “I understand that because we’re away against two strong teams. Let’s enjoy that and show what we can do.
“We’re in a position now where if we take any hits, we have to come back stronger. We took a lot of hits last season when I came in and before I came in. We were on the floor in terms of confidence.
“Now we want to be stronger than that mentally, as a club. These games are a big test for us. We have got a long way to go. We’re progressing but we mustn’t think we’re near where we want to be because we’re not yet. We have work to be done.”
Lampard also believes Everton are in a stronger position than where they were at the back end of last season. Everton scored a controversial 99th-minute winner against Newcastle in March - a result that catapulted their assault to survival.
“We are missing players, but it feels like we have good competition in lots of areas of the pitch,” he added. “That was partly due to our recruitment and movement of players in the summer, as well as working with players that are developing and getting better. At the moment, we’re in a decent place. We are in a stronger position.”
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