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Boss Lampard Sets Everton Demand

Frank Lampard insists the foundations of hard work and application will be key to Everton building on encouraging recent performances – and says the Blues will embrace the challenge of a hectic “mini season” ahead of the Qatar World Cup.

Everton will take on Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday aiming to extend their six-match unbeaten run.

The fixture is the first of eight the Toffees will contest in the Premier League ahead of the World Cup.

A solid defensive base has provided the bedrock for Everton’s recent form and the Blues have recorded clean sheets in their past two games – a 0-0 Merseyside derby draw and 1-0 victory over West Ham United.

Only Brighton & Hove Albion have conceded fewer Premier League goals than Everton’s six this season and Lampard explained the key reasons behind the Blues’ improved record.

“Defending is a collective,” he said. “At times last season we didn’t defend well enough, and that was high in my thinking and the Club’s thinking during the summer recruitment process.

“Conor [Coady] and Tarky [James Tarkowski] have been a big plus for us. They have great attitudes. They are both captains in their own way – although Seamus will always be captain of this club while he’s here. Their performances and consistency levels have been really good.

“That [consistency] is what we aspire to, to have that solid base. These are things that have to be continually worked on and it’s not just Conor and Tarky, it’s the team. It’s the work we do on the training ground, and how we communicate with the players in what we want on and off the ball.

“The improvement is because of the work we do on the training pitch and the consistency of that – and not anyone getting complacent because there’s a good feeling in the squad and we got a good result against West Ham. If we can back up that good result on Saturday, then it will show progress. That has to keep going game after game, week after week.

“This Premier League is so ruthless that if you step off, you will concede. It’s important we keep up that work.”

He added: “We need to get as many points as we can in the eight games we’ve got before the break for the World Cup. It is like a mini league.

“We went into an international break having beat West Ham, which gave us a good feeling. Mentally, I feel we’re in a good place.

“It’s exciting for us, to see how many points we can get in these eight games to get ourselves in a good position for when we start again.”


Anthony Gordon’s impressive performances for Everton and England Under-21s have seen him tipped as a contender for Gareth Southgate’s senior Three Lions squad.

Asked about the possibility of the Blues Academy graduate being included in the party for the World Cup, Lampard said: “I can’t talk for Gareth. There is a lot of competition in that area of the pitch for England and Anthony has to keep working hard on all parts of his game.

“I have good conversations with Anthony, and he knows the areas of his game he can improve on.

“It’s not just the goals but they are big part of it, course. The top wingers get big numbers and Anthony will want to do that. You just have to train every day and keep improving. The rest will naturally come.

“It’s good he is in the conversation [about the World Cup squad].”

Gordon supplied an assist for Conor Gallagher’s goal in England Under-21s’ 3-1 win over Germany on Tuesday, with Everton teammate James Garner also catching the eye with an assured display in what was his first start of the season.

“It’s great James played so well for the Under-21s,” Lampard said. “He wasn’t quite fit when he joined us from Manchester United. Now he’s ready to go.

“He’s impressed me a lot in training as a lad and as a player. He’s got real potential for now and for the future.”

On the challenge Southampton will provide in Saturday’s south coast clash, Lampard explained: “They are a strong team. There has been a change of style this season from their previous years - it’s quite evident in the way they play.

“They have got some good results this season and have a good manager and players and a good attitude in the team. They have recruited energy and youth into the team. It will be a big test.”

Frank Lampard
If we can back up that good result on Saturday, then it will show progress. That has to keep going game after game, week after week.