Holgate on why Lampard has Everton believing again

Frank Lampard has got Mason Holgate believing the good times are just around the corner for Everton as they prepare to face West Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

That may seem odd to some after just one win in their last five Premier League games and Everton only one place above the relegation zone, albeit having games in hand on their rivals.

But the centre-back has little doubt that Lampard can help steer the club to safety this season and onto new heights in the near future.

"We're very confident of staying up," Holgate tells Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's trip to West Ham. "I think the gaffer now and the team that he's brought in are unbelievable, I think everyone in the squad thinks that as well.

"I think it's a difficult circumstance that he's come into. But I think he's a great manager, and I think we are all going to benefit from him and as the season comes on everyone is going to see that.

"We've all got complete faith, he goes into every detail, and we know exactly what we need to be doing."

Holgate, in particular, has benefitted from Lampard's arrival. Both his place in the starting line-up and his self-belief have been restored under the former Derby and Chelsea manager.

Lampard has started Holgate in nine of his 10 games in charge. But it was a completely different story under Rafael Benitez, who in his 23 games on Merseyside handed Holgate the same number of starts.

Holgate, who describes himself as a "ball-playing centre half", has also been returned to his favoured position under Lampard - often on the right of a back three - after being used as a utility player in recent seasons.

"He's made quite a big impact on me," Holgate says of Lampard. "Just giving me the confidence of playing is something that's