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Boss On Team Strength And Gordon Future

Frank Lampard says he feels “strength and confidence” building in his Everton team and believes the Blues are ready to translate their encouraging performances into victories.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Ham United at Goodison Park, Lampard also revealed the Club are in talks with Academy graduate Anthony Gordon over a new contract.

Everton go into the West Ham game on the back of four consecutive Premier League draws, with the Toffees unfortunate not to have gained more points from a series of purposeful and energetic displays.

Lampard says Everton’s solid defensive base has been a particular source of satisfaction – and expressed his belief the team can embark on a positive run of results.

“From where we were at the end of last season, we had to add through the core of the team [in the transfer market],” he explained.

“We’ve deserved more points than what we’ve got – that doesn’t mean anything but it’s nice to feel the confidence of being solid and feel like we’re going in the right direction.

“It can take time for certain elements of the team to grow but if we can keep more clean sheets – and be more tight and more difficult to beat – that’s a big starting point for us.

“We feel confident in ourselves, with the way we’re playing. We probably haven’t had the rub of the green here at Goodison.

“I feel we can see a strength within the team, but it can take time to translate the performances into results.

“We just have to keep working in the right direction and believe that will come.”


Electric winger Gordon has made an impressive start to the campaign and has two goals to his name following strikes in 1-1 draws at Brentford and Leeds United.

Asked whether conversations over a new deal with the 20-year-old forward had started, Lampard said: “The Club are speaking with Anthony and Anthony’s people to see if we can get the right solution there.”

Gordon is one of several Everton players who will be on international duty over the coming fortnight, with the attacker joined in the England Under-21s squad by summer signing James Garner.

Lampard says the midfielder, who joined the Blues from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, is in contention to make his Everton debut against West Ham.

For a full team news update ahead of Sunday’s game, click here.

“James is looking good,” Lampard said. “He’s trained really well. I’m a big fan of his as a player. I’m really pleased I’ve been able to bring him to the Club.

“I like his attributes as a midfield player and I’ve been really happy to meet him as a lad. He’s now fit for selection and he gives us another option in midfield and a different type of option, with his qualities.”

Conor Coady and Nathan Patterson have also seen their fine Everton displays rewarded with call-ups to the senior England and Scotland squads respectively.

Blues boss Lampard saluted the pair’s early-season form.

“Conor’s been outstanding for us,” he said.

“He’s settled into the group brilliantly. He’s a proper professional and affects others around him.

“He’s also performed really well on the pitch. People associate him with a back five, but we’ve played a back four in past few games and him and James [Tarkowski] have been great in a pairing. It’s a pleasure to work with him.

“I’ve been really impressed with Nathan. His start to the season has been great. He needs to continue going in the same way. I think there is a lot more to come because he is such a young and developing player.

“I just want to help him get better and get more assists – he’s very good at joining in going forward. Defensively, I’ve been very pleased with his discipline and one-v-one defending against some top-class attackers. We’ll keep working with him but I’m very happy.”

Frank Lampard
Defensively, I’ve been very pleased with Nathan's discipline and his one-v-one defending against some top-class attackers.


Everton will lock horns with a West Ham side on Sunday who have won one of their six Premier League matches this term.

The Hammers, however, will make the trip to Goodison following back-to-back Europa Conference League victories.

On the threat West Ham will pose, Lampard said: “They have got a great coach in David Moyes and a very talented team, which they’ve shown in the past 18 months. They have lots of good individuals.

“Coming away from home, they are very good at being organised and they’ll be a real threat on the counter-attack, on set-pieces and through the speed in their team. They will be a very dangerous opponent.”