Lampard insists there is 'a long way to go' as Everton look to salvage season

The last time Frank Lampard was in the relegation zone in the second half of a season, he was a teenager trying to break through at West Ham in the 1990s. If his first fortnight as Everton manager could end with them in the bottom three, Lampard tried to deflect suggestions Tuesday's trip to Newcastle and Saturday’s meeting with Leeds are six-pointers that could define their campaign.

“We have to stay calm,” he said. “There is a long way to go, 18 games. To put everything on these two games would be wrong.” Everton’s plight is not Lampard’s fault but he argued that as a newcomer, he is not worn down by a run of 10 defeats in 13 league games.

“We are 16th and there are reasons for that,” he said. “The good thing with being a new manager is you don’t feel the strain and pressure of it. The most important thing for me is to have a clean slate in my head. I understand the severity of the game that but also walking in fresh is hopefully something I can bring to the table.”

Lampard’s first game brought inklings of an immediate impact. He wants Everton to have more of the ball and a side who average 40 percent of possession in the Premier League had 55 percent in beating Brentford 4-1 in the FA Cup. It was the first time for almost a year Everton scored more than three goals, they were able to operate higher up the pitch and a side given a new 3-4-3 formation were receptive to his ideas.

Dele Alli - Tottenham to Everton (No initial fee but up to £30m in potential add-ons). PA

“In terms of the style and the basics, that was a nice step in the right direction,” he said. “I have seen a hard-working, humble group. They were ready to listen, maybe lacking in confidence but that is natural. I can’t fault a player in the squad but