Frank Lampard has described Everton fans as ‘not normal’ in praising their passionate support - but he admitted that the team must also do their part on the pitch.
Blues fans lined the streets around Goodison Park towards the end of last season, setting off pyrotechnics and swinging scarves to create an incredible atmosphere as the players arrived. Their fervent support, both before and during games, helped to drag the players out of the relegation mire and into safety.
One of the most notable moments from last season was before the 1-0 win at home to Chelsea, and many Evertonians are planning to repeat those carnival-like scenes for Saturday’s opening weekend clash against the same opponent and throughout the campaign. But while Lampard has praised the fans for their support, the Everton boss has also admitted that it is up to his players to match the passion in the stands.
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“They're pretty unique,” Lampard told the Football Daily podcast of the fans. “I’ve only been here a short time but the support we had was amazing and it certainly helped us to get over the line and stay up. We can't rely on that in the sense of what happens on the pitch, we also have to play our part.
“We did that at the back end of the season but we can't expect 10,000 people before every game like there was because it's just not normal. The fans were not normal in a really good way.
“We might have a bit of that at Chelsea I hear, that'll be great, but it'll be down to us to set a different tone this year. I came in at a really critical stage last year and that really enhanced as the games went on.
“Now we need to focus ourselves on the footballing side. What can we do to try and start better than last year? We got ourselves in a difficult position and it's up to us as a team, with the support of the fans, to try and do different this year.”
Evertonians will need to be at their best once again this Saturday when Thomas Tuchel’s Blues come to Merseyside. Lampard will be without a recognised striker following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury and Salomon Rondon's suspension from last season, but he and the Goodison faithful will be hopeful of another evening like that 1-0 win in May.
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