Andros Townsend admits Everton were "failures" and "disgraces" last season and believes Frank Lampard 'got rid' of players who couldn't "hack the pressure of playing for such a big club" during the summer.
In a scathing attack on his side, Townsend has slammed Everton for their performances last season and believes the club would have been relegated if it wasn't for the club's supporters.
Ahead of their last three home matches, thousands of Everton supporters arrived early and took to the streets to produce incredible scenes as Lampard and his squad arrived for the game. Banners and flags were on full display, there was constant loud singing and numerous smoke bombs filled the air to create a raucous atmosphere.
MOMENTS MISSED: Paul Tierney's other decision that left Everton stars baffled as Richarlison irony emerges
READ MORE: Demarai Gray gives verdict on penalty against Everton and 'positives' despite loss at Spurs
Similar scenes had also been witnessed outside Finch Farm ahead of the Blues' two away trips to Leicester and Watford as supporters looked to inspire their side over the line. And Townsend believes his side didn’t deserve to be treated like "kings" by Blues supporters.
He said: “That experience I have never experienced anything like it in my life, it was incredible.
"We were failures, we were disgraces and so small, but then to turn up to a game and have the fans greet us like we were kings it made us feel so big and that we could run through a brick wall.
“Ultimately that support and fanbase at Goodison Park got us out of the situation we were in.”
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Everton’s defeat to Tottenham, Townsend also claimed Lampard sold players who couldn't cope playing for the club during the summer transfer window.
“The manager saw who was and wasn't up for it and who couldn't hack the pressure of playing for such a big club,” he revealed.
“He got rid of those players and brought in players who clearly can handle that pressure who have been there before and now we have a better team off the back of that.”
However, there is a real sense of renewed optimism around Goodison this season, with the immediate threat of relegation some way back in the rear view mirror. Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye have added grit to a historically vulnerable midfield.
But it is further back, in the defensive pairing of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, that Everton's old-school fighting values are personified - something that Lampard made a conscious effort to introduce to the squad over the summer.
“Last season Seamus Coleman was the leader, the man who was very vocal, if something was wrong he dug them out,” Townsend said.
“Now this season we have Conor [Coady], we have [James] Tarkowski, [Amadou] Onana is very vocal, [Idrissa] Gueye has played at the highest level.
“We have so many leaders now so if the worst happens and we are in a situation like last season we have the right characters to roll up our sleeves and get out of this situation we are in.”
READ NEXT:
What national media said on Everton, Harry Kane 'dive' and 'heartbreaking' Richarlison interview
That’s the reality - Frank Lampard makes blunt Everton admission after Tottenham Hotspur loss
Everton player ratings as James Tarkowski impressive but many others average against Tottenham
- Frank Lampard makes new Everton stadium 'progress' claim and Goodison Park admission
