Lampard reveals stern 'first message' to Everton players

Recently appointed manager Frank Lampard has revealed that his first message to the Everton players will be to ask them to show ‘passion’ for the fans. 

On transfer deadline day, the Toffees may have pulled off exciting signings such as Dele Alli and loanee Donny Van de Beek, but they also officially revealed Lampard would be the club’s new boss.

It has not taken the former Chelsea manager long to address what he feels his players must do to get their club back to winning ways.

Indeed, when talking to the club’s media during his first full interview, Lampard explained how he felt the relationship between the players and the fans was a big issue that needed to be fixed immediately.

He outlined his thoughts on the matter, saying: “It will be hugely important. I always felt it as a player, I felt that the passion and support of the crowd can swing a game. [With] the competitive level that the Premier League brings, the position we are in the table, we certainly need that.

“It’s a two-way thing. The players have to show that on the pitch – they have to show the same passion that every fan who turns up to watch the game.

“That’ll be my first job and my first message to the players – that we have to do it together. These things can’t be done without the support both ways. So we’ll try and do our job, and I know the fans will be there backing us.”

TIF Thoughts on Frank Lampard and Everton…

No doubt, this disconnect between the individuals on the pitch and the people making up the Goodison Park crowd was a big issue under former boss Rafael Benitez.

Indeed, there were multiple times where the relationship between the Spaniard and his supposed fans seemed fractious at best, with anti-Benitez chants quick to reference his