Everton: Frank Lampard decision 'selling Toffees players down the river' | OneFootball

Everton manager Frank Lampard is selling his players ‘down the river’ with his choice of tactics at this moment in time, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The Toffees are in real danger of dropping into the second tier of English football for the first time since 1953/54 and losing their status as one of only six clubs to have never been relegated from the Premier League.

A potentially pivotal 3-2 defeat to Burnley last time out has left Everton sitting just one point and one place above the Clarets, who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.

It was hoped that the arrival of Lampard as Rafa Benitez’s successor on deadline day in January would spark an upturn in the Merseyside outfit’s fortunes but that is yet to be the case.

In the 43-year-old tactician’s opening nine top-flight fixtures at the helm, Everton have picked up just two wins, losing on the other seven occasions.

And Lampard has deployed a variety of tactics in order to try and drag the Blues out of their current plight, lining up in a 3-4-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formation during his short reign, as per FBref.

However, none have proved overly successful. Everton have only scored two goals from open play in their last six outings, conceding 13 times along the way, highlighting their woes at both ends of the pitch.

What has Brown said about Lampard?

Brown believes that Lampard’s approach has hindered Everton in recent weeks but also reckons the current crop of players lack ‘leaders, grafters and fighters’ as they edge ever close to the bottom three.

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In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I think the problem at the moment is probably a little bit of both.

“It’s that players are obviously playing without much confidence, I’m not sure there are enough leaders, grafters and fighters in the group, and I think that the manager’s tactics are selling them down the river a little bit as well.”

Lampard questioned the mentality of his players following their 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last month, and he has arguably been let down by certain individuals.

Star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has failed to score since 28th August, key midfielder Allan was sent off for a reckless challenge against Newcastle United, while first-choice centre-back Michael Keane also saw red versus West Ham.

Everton now have just nine games to save their season and maintain their Premier League status for next term, and they’ll need to put in some vastly improved performances to beat the drop.