No debate that Everton are in a relegation battle – Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard insists Everton must accept and embrace their Premier League relegation battle.

The Toffees slipped to their second defeat in three league encounters under new boss Lampard with a 2-0 loss at Southampton.

Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long struck for a totally dominant Saints side who never relented after taking control.

Everton’s troubles on the road surfaced again, with the visitors looking a shadow of the side that thumped Leeds 3-0 at Goodison Park on February 12.

Lampard’s men sit 16th in the table and four points off the drop zone, leaving the ex-Chelsea and Derby boss to pull no punches on their plight.

Asked if Everton are in a genuine relegation tussle, Lampard replied: “I think it’s really clear isn’t it? The position we’re in in the table is clear, it’s not something we have to debate.

“As a team and a staff we just have to work on getting results to improve our position.

“When we won last week things looked a lot better and we’ve lost today and it looks worse.

“But I don’t think we have to deny our position. Our league position explains a lot and is one of the reasons I’m here.

“It’s my job to find the reasons why this has happened.

“When we have been great we have backed ourselves, but the minute games turn against us there can be a mentality issue for the players.

“And I can totally understand confidence issues, but the only way to come out of that is through work and application.

“We are focused on the job in hand. We have to have a belief in what we’re doing, the home games have shown that.

“It’s just very clear what’s in front of us. There’s never a magic wand, but we’re very understanding of the situation.

“We’ve addressed a lot in terms of the way we want to play, but there’s still things