Opinion: Lampard needs the great escape [or an act of mercy from the ones fighting with him in the relegation zone]

The bet on the novice or less qualified manager Frank Lampard has certainly not paid off. In 12 Premier League matches since taking over. Lampards team has won 3 matches, 1 draw and 8 lost. That is a terrible stat, as the Goodison Park and Evertonians are working to survive the league this year.

What is striking as the management goes along is that Lampard haven’t been anywhere near the pressure or test as manager before. His assistant Paul Clement might be more experienced and even been in hot-water in the past. Still, that doesn’t save him this time around. After today’s loss against arch-rival and losing the Merseyside Derby on Anfield.

Lampard is for the first time in the direct relegation zone. He was only appointed or hired on the 31^st January 2022. So, everyone can say he has little to no time to make a difference. Nevertheless, when you are trailing and falling like Everton. There is a need for restructuring the squad and figure out a way to grind out results.

However, we can see that Everton and Lampard haven’t done that. As the rest of the season is a real test for him too. What is striking is that lowest points to ever save a club in the Premier League have been with West Bromwich Albion (WBA) who was able to avoid relegation with 34 points. By now that will depend on the current form of Burnley and Leeds, which is just above the line.

Everton has only two “easier” matches left of the season against Watford away on the 11^th May and Brentford at home on the 15^th May. While they are also meeting Chelsea, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Which are matches that could easily become bloody for them and be dreadful in the form their in. There is no consistency so these are easy favourites ahead of these games.

Burnley is meeting Watford in the next match and also meeting Aston Villa twice. While meeting even harder competitors in Newcastle and Tottenham. Though these two team will have nothing to play for and Tottenham could already be out the possibility to get into Champions League next season. Therefore, as Burnley is in better form and actually gets points. Their two points advantage can be very favourable. Especially, if Burnley wins over Watford in the next round and Everton loses against Chelsea.

That’s why the next few matches are crucial, but we shouldn’t consider a sudden change or a new football philosophy. Lampard have no time or ability to get that into play. Heck, he don’t have the squad or the morale to make things change rapidly. While Burnley and the players have fought this battle more recent and know how to play this one out. Even when Burnley is without Sean Dyche and has interim player manager Ben Mee.

Frank Lampard took a chance taking this appointment. This was maybe more promising than Norwich or anywhere else. Everton has been struggling and there is no promise on the horizon now. The last few matches proves that and the stats for Lampard isn’t looking great either.

Lampard will most likely have an Everton relegation on his CV. That is not something you want and certainly not being known for doing so either. His bringing the biggest club to the Championship in living memory. The sort of club that talked of entering European Cups and getting possibly into Champions League within a stretch. Instead it is getting relegated with a mismatch of a squad, fallen wonder-kids and a massive wage-bill. Which will deplete the possibility to get much players to ensure a quick return to the Premier League. As the Championship is a tough and brutal league. Where most of them are fighting and spending over revenue to get ahead, and get promoted as swiftly as possible.

That’s why Lampard isn’t a favourable position now and not surely going to get any better next season either. As the club is fatigued, lack of structure and overspending. In the mix of not having a direct and experienced Sporting Director or having any sort of long-term plan on the scouting or transfers.

There haven’t been a plan and each manager of late has done a lot on their own. That’s why the team is filled with players bought and preferred by the previous managers. While the ones gotten in the last transfer window by Lampard haven’t done much either. Van der Beek and Dele Ali haven’t shown much, if any at this point. They are all part of the problem and the trouble will only get much worse as the season is coming to a close.

Everton is in a relegation battle and has little to no hope. Other clubs has to possible save them. I doubt Lampard or any of this players has the greatest escape in them. Burnley seems more fit and Leeds don’t need much to graze into safety. That’s why Everton has to do it on their own. The matches of Watford and Brentford will be the vital ones, but by then… Burnley might have made it a bridge to far. Which should be the fear of Lampard.

He is now in a grim place and nearly impossible to avoid the relegation. That got to sting. He gambled and so did the Everton Directors Board… the club is losing and doing so quickly. The stats aren’t even on Lampard’s side either. That’s why….

Everton is sinking… while no one is finding the reason or trying to figure out how to save the people on deck. No, they are just hoping an act of mercy or luck will save them. This is not going well and the Merseyside derby will be gone from Premier League next season. Peace.

Opinion: Everton is in a relegation battle with a wildcard manager

The Evertonians should worry about the state of the club. They have been worried for a long time. Times has not become better with Carlo Ancelotti or Rafa Benitez. None of these managers has delivered or made changes which made the club any better. There been years since Everton had the stability of David Moyes or even results worthy of the first season of Roberto Martinez.

Everton is a big club and supposed to be a staple in the Premier League. However, the club is now on shaky grounds. They have appointed Frank Lampard in the end of January 2022 and right before the transfer window was closed. Just in the nick of time, so he could loan Van Der Beek (Manchester United) and get Dele Ali (from Tottenham). Together this trio was supposed to make a huge difference and get results.

Since then Everton has won over Brentford and Leeds at home. However, the rest of the results has been abysmal and not giving much hope. The club is trailing and only one point above the relegation. Newcastle is far off the map now. While Everton should worry about Burnley and Watford. These clubs are used to relegation battle and Everton is not.

While Watford has their own troubles and has hired Roy Hodgson, which in itself isn’t a bargain either. Yes, Hodgson built a stable and hard-working team in Crystal Palace. However, he has only a small window and a less of a stellar chance to save this one. Burnley on the other hand has bought a talented striker and know what they are in for. They have a seasoned coach and manager in Sean Dyche. So, even if they are one point behind Everton. No one should underestimate Burnley and their sudden ability to get points. We have seen that before and no one should be in shock and awe in 2022.

That’s why I have a hard time believing in Everton now. Not because I want Everton anything ill. However, their current form and the mediocre display isn’t sufficient in the times ahead. Neither is the misfits and lack of profiling of players recruited over the last few seasons. As the leftover squad players of other teams in combination with former wonder-boys are not making it a strong outing.

Lampard is a gamble and risk to hire himself. He has not a long stint as a manager anywhere. Neither did he succeed in the second second and Tuchel has galvanized the same squad after his sacking in Chelsea. Therefore, Lampard has to suddenly turn this mediocre squad into winners and he got no time.

He needs to get Calvert-Lewin energized, Rondon to become a steady force on top, Dele Ali inspired and creative again, Andros Townsend active, Fabian Delph into a wall, Seamus Coleman into a running riot and make Jordan Pickford into a superior goalie. This is just something he needs to do. Everton needs their vital players in amazing form and in great spirit.

Alas, in the last 10 matches in the league they have only one victory and one draw. The rest is losses. Also in addition to that, in the league, the club haven’t scored goals since 12^th February. That is close to a month without a goal and only conceding. The next two matches will be very important to grab, as the opponents are Wolverhampton and Newcastle at home. If there is anything to go by, these might be the last straw for the club this season.

Because after this… Everton is meeting West Ham, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, Brentford and Arsenal. It is not like the club has an easy ending of the season. It is meeting contenders for the top spots of the league. They are also meeting mid-level teams that can beat anyone at any given time, which is far from walkovers. The only team that is open and a team the club has won over earlier in the season is Brentford. Therefore, the final games are coming up at a rapid speed. There will be nothing easy here and Lampard has to prove his worth.

That Lampard is part of it now. He got to prove that his name is worthy. Frank Lampard has to push and ensure safety. In a battle against relegation. A battle he has never been in as a manager and neither with a squad like this either. This is why his novice ways might be useful or become it’s curse. As he don’t know what buttons or what strategies to tactically get them out of the quagmire. Its not like he knows to build a steady defence or parking the bus. He has to become a great manager and with barely enough experience. It is not his a Allerdyce or Everton’s own Mike Walker.

Everton is maybe in a similar season as 1993/1994 when the club had to fight on the last day of the league to stay up and only survived because Sheffield United lost. The great escape under the reigns of Mike Walker. Now, Frank Lampard maybe have to pull of a similar feat on the final day. If not he has to get the vital points against Brentford. Because, the Premier League is a tight race and in the relegation battle. Every point matters and the matches Everton has isn’t leaving much to chance. If there is any… the points has to be taken in the coming one and with this form. It seems hard to impossible. As the goals are not there and luck isn’t either.

When he took the job in the end of 30^th January 2022, I said Lampard had an unforgiving job. However, it has only gotten worse and lack of results is detrimental now. They are not even close to mid-level or get mid-league into safety. No, they are at the bottom and just lucky they are not into direct relegation zone. Just one point above and 11 matches to go. None of these are certain points or walkovers.

That’s why Lampard to sprinkle some magic dust and be able to inspire his recruits, misfits and outcast into world-class. I hope to see it coming. Everton going down would be a sad day for the Premier League, but that is a result of mismanagement over the years. Wild spending on wild-cards and not proper recruitment of players. Neither steady sports management or having managers who build a squad. Therefore…

Lampard now has to throw the dice and hope to get six eyes. That is his risk and his gamble. Now, we have to see how he carries this in the weeks ahead. Peace.

Opinion: Lampard has an unforgiving job at Everton

That Frank Lampard got this job is all because of his stature and his name. It is not like he has a managerial record or proof of confidence to do this. He was lucky in the role of Chelsea and did above average in Derby County. However, Lampard didn’t prove anything in his second season in Chelsea.

That’s why neither Everton or Lampard is getting a great deal. The people at Goodison Park and Toffee Blue should be worried. As they have had Ancelotti and Benitez… which have both made their purchases of players and tried to forge a way. Nevertheless, the club is getting from bad to worse. That’s why the club is so close to relegation at this point.

Everton has spent a small fortune on players, they have bought and bought players without anything to prove from it. It is a long time Martinez delivered one good season and Moyes stability at the club. These times are long gone… and Everton clearly needs stability and a plan forward.

Since, the half-assing the way forward is only brining things closer to the edge. Lampard has to be given time and at the same time… he has to secure the place and a mid-league position with ease. The expectation is huge and he has deliver.

This club is in shambles, the club is weak and the current form is abysmal. Yes, usually a new manager is able to spark a brief upswing in results. However, that will not last forever. That might save the club, which is just above relegation. Nevertheless, Everton is supposed to be more than that.

Everton last win in the League was in early December and before that the next victory was against Norwich in September. So, it is not like the moral or the players are highly motivated. The team must get inspired and get a vision to move ahead. This is just looking depressing and Lampard has to prove that his more than a legendary player turned manager.

Lampard has to save this club from relegation and do it in style. He cannot walk on water or take it easy. There will be no soft exit and if he doesn’t succeed. The sacking will be painful and the chances of another role will be dimmer.

Frank gets this shot, because other managers has dipped out. They have said “no” and “not interested”. Everton isn’t a secure place and neither is the squad filled with massive stars. The club is filled with players with some potential and with experience in the Premier League. However, these are not playmakers or one-man shows that can carry the club alone. This means, the manager have to make the collective strong and capable to beat anyone.

This means Lampard has to invest time into a system and a theory of which the players believe in and see the results of. Lampard has to sell an idea and a way to play, which shows the club a way forward and secure the present. That’s what he got to do and in no time. Since, there is no trial and shortcuts. The risk of failure and losing out, means they will be relegated and the club cannot afford that. Neither can Lampard who will have lost credibility doing so…

Lampard is taking a risk here and is here because of his name. The name will not carry him now. His not at Stamford Bridge and getting the glory. No, his at Goodison Park and has dwell in mediocrity at the moment. He has to inspire and ensure the drive forward. Which he has to do from day one … and its an unforgiving job, as the expectations are bigger than what the club can produce at this very moment. No matter who is at the helm. Peace.

Proven that loyalty is dying in modern football – the example of Fabian Delph

Its silly season just some weeks before the Premier League starts up again. All the teams try to add on with players to sustain their place or get into a better position than last year. Teams that have gotten from the Championship for example Watford have used a tiny fortune on new players. Another team that are trying to be champion is Manchester United who has bought half of central Europe players and part of the Mediterranean countries big players to get into the league of Chelsea and Arsenal again. But this story is about neither. This story will be about loyalty.

Aston Villa is the old aristocrat in the Premier League. The Birmingham club is a royalty in some ways. Not that it’s Reading who has the nickname. But still the history of the club and range of level it has given the league it deserves credit. Times are changing big money has arrived and been here awhile. So that English players are getting rare in the British league of Premier League. Whatever Greg Dyke or Richard Scudamore is saying is because the FA getting loads of money with the TV deals. That is giving the clubs more money but isn’t helping the movement of players that really representing their clubs in the long run. You can’t buy loyalty. Especially when you can go from being a kid in the sticks and in a few years’ time to having a £30k a week and if you switch to the big ones you can get £100k a week.

This story is not about Raheem Sterling. He went as a kid from QPR and built a reputation in Liverpool. Wanted to win things and went to for the highest price ever for a British player £44m to Manchester City. This story that I am telling and describing is about Fabian Delph. Fabian Delph was first as a youth in Bradford City and Leeds. Later he was on a pro contract for Leeds for three years from 2006 – 2009. Delph was in 2009 Young Player of the Year. He went for about £8m to Aston Villa.

So now that we’re in 2015. There is more money in the League. We have title chasers who needs English players in the team line-up. This team is the same as the one who got Sterling. A team that has lost most of their English players in recent years the only player who has stayed through the years in the central team is goalie Joe Hart. Micah Richards went for free from Manchester City to Aston Villa. James Milner who the current manager Pellegrini and former manager Manchini who liked his services still him left on Bosman to Liverpool. They sold Boyata to Celtic as well before this season. The savior was the loan in from New York new club and former Chelsea player Frank Lampard. But now he really went over to the club. So in this sense the whole world has known about that the rich club Manchester City and it’s struggle to keep and getting good British players.

It’s in this context that Fabian Delph comes in. He was the captain in a team that barley saved them last year in the Premier League. Before Tim Sherwood came in there been two and a half years of Paul Lamberts reign. Three years of barley making it and having 2 months without goals last season before Tim Sherwood got hired as manager for the club. Also that the glamour of O’Neill era is totally gone and the owner tried to sell the club for ages. Therefore the budgets and standard of the squad has gone down. There haven’t been much invested in new players for a long time.

So this year’s silly season has been important for Aston Villa. Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph have been rumored away to Liverpool and Manchester City. They are the stars on the team together with Agbonlahor and Vlaar. Even been talk about Vlaar leaving the club.

Seven days ago Fabian Delph said that he would be loyal to the club. As he was proud of being captain of the team at that time the club they starting working on a new contract offer to Fabian Delph so that he would be appreciated at that level. They wanted upgrade the old contract of £30k a week to £80k a week. So that he would stay and feel rightfully earning in the league he has been playing in since 2009.

A Short Timeline: 

On the 11^th July 2015 he promised loyalty to Aston Villa after months of rumors and also closely going to medical in Manchester. This was after he was taken off the official internet page of the club and also in the ads for the new shirt. 

Then later this week on the 16^th July he switched his mind and went on with the deal to Manchester City. Had a medical and is rumored to sign a £100k a week for the Manchester club. Also he is part of filling up the quota of British players in the club. Leaving behind Aston Villa where he was captain.

So now two days after leaving for the second time the Birmingham club in the same summer. We can see why many fans are displeased with Fabian Delph. For a few days ago he promised himself again to Aston Villa. He signed a new contract for the club already in January. He has been a player who captured interest of big clubs for a while. In his contract he had a buy-out clause that Manchester City £8m. This was been met easily and is a cheap transfer for a British player for the club. When the prices of this players are souring look at Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and so on.

Therefore with this surprise move that he initially went from Aston Villa to Manchester City is a downer. It kills me a bit by bit because as a football fan we wish to have positive players who have loyalty to their clubs. It’s harder and harder to get by the day. I am not a Liverpool fan, still I wish there was more players like Stephen Gerrard. Fewer players are staying most of the careers in one team instead they are changing for a fortune anywhere else. In the same team its one player that is a standout I have already mention him as a star on the team: Gabriel Agbonlahor is loyal team player with quality. He is one of the few pivotal players you have in the Premier League. And he is a humble and a good guy.

So it’s sadden that the youth talent that came from 2009 came from Leeds went from Aston Villa on 16.07.2015 to Manchester City. So the speeches and quotes of loyalty in the start of the week was utter rubbish. City and Citizens should be happy for this coup. Delph is an amazing player. Always enjoyed watching him playing for Villa so it’s sad to see him leaving a team where he has a major impact and just be pawn on the chess set on the tactical field in Manchester. Like Bony was a phenomenon in Swansea after coming from Twente as a magnificent goal-scorer. He was a machine and a wonder to watch in Swansea. After my reckoning he scored two goals and two whole matches and 8 times substitute for the team.

If Delph will get the same treatment is not something I can proclaim. But that he want has as much impact as in Villa is a simple truth. Because Manchester City have more midfielders and players of quality then Villa, which we all know and also Delph already should know. So that he has changed from being a man and player speaking about loyalty. That loyalty only lasted less than a week. When he again went to City and got the new high paying contract.

I respect even more players like Stephen Gerrard and Agbonlahor, when I see how the summer sales are going. I am sad also by the way Iker Casillas went from Real Madrid to Porto. After winning everything worth having in the club he had been in all career. Stephen Gerrard had the same and even if he left for Los Angeles Galaxy with respect. Casillas went with sadness and not as hero. The same was with Xavi recently from Barcelona to the Middle East somewhere. So seeing players like this staying loyal and only leaving at the last straw of their career. That is because they want to be the main player in a club. And with their legacy they deserve something else then playing second fiddle. Though I hope they will come back to the club as representative and being part of backroom staff in the years to come. I don’t believe that will happen to Iker Casillias.

Delph has to stay somewhere and being loyal to it to get remember there. He has already made a mark in the jersey of Aston Villa. If he had stayed he could be respect and an honorable player in this times when fees and salaries are increasing to fairytale level. Therefore Agbonlahor could be an example for Delph. It’s understandable that certain players using clubs like Aston Villa as a stepping stone to a bigger club. Even if the club it’s like a royalty in the league. Still hasn’t had a top position since Martin O’Neill. Therefore players like Delph could have been a foundation for a bigger team and building a stabile club that could be far away from the three year relegation battle. Tim Sherwood can bring a lot of passion into a team. Still he needs quality and players that are loyal to his vision and club. As every club need. Delph in time he would be seen as a cornerstone in the midfield of the club and remembered as a loyal club player. A player who was there for the team while it was struggling for three seasons to battle relegation and trying to establish itself as a secure club in the league. Instead he went for the quick money in Manchester City. In a club that has won the league twice in last 4 years. They have gotten all the money of the world. But is the epitome of what is wrong in modern football. Though I am not a great fan of Manchester United, I still wish City to win over them, just because of the arrogance of the red devils. Still, the money of City doesn’t by the heritage and history as Villa has. That Delph could continue to be a part of. Especially since he spoke of loyalty recently, then switched and went anyway. Raheem Sterling did everything in his way to get out of Anfield and Liverpool. Delph was different and was silent as silly season went on. The rumors we’re steady. We all knew that City needed British players in this transfer window. They got two now and has Joe Hart. So they got quality homegrown players now.

Nevertheless Fabian Delph has proven that money is more important than leaving a legacy. As so many other players of his time as written before I wish there was more players like Stephen Gerrard and Gabriel Agbonlahor. They are heroes in my football heart even if I am not a supporter of their teams. Because these players are humble and hardworking staying to strive for their teams over time, on the other hand are Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph.

A week went by and the truth came to surface what was important for Fabian Delph. So let’s see how his impact will be in the new squad and I hope that Villa get a new replacement that will stay and build on the new vision that Tim Sherwood has. And yes, I can’t wait for a new season and campaign of 2015/2016 in the Premier League. Rest of silly will be interesting, but I hope that no player plays it out as Delph did. The way he promised loyalty and then in like a windfall going back to Manchester City for a new medical. He has surely signed a new contract and gotten the number and new shirt for his new team. As he left Birmingham and went for the money, if I can advise him on one thing not that I believe he will read a single word I wrote. Fabian Delph shouldn’t speak again about loyalty and love for a club before you actually prove it in action. Peace.

Ødeleggende for fotballen

Luis Suarez Liverpools og Uruguys stjerne spiss. Dette kunne ha vært en dag med glede for spissen og laget. Hvor de klarte uavgjort 6 minutter på overtid. Ikke minst kunne Sturridge vise krefter mot tidligere lagkamerater. Fotball søndagen har allerede vært action-fylt med Tottenham snur 0-1 mot Manchester City til 3-1. Etter at de byttet inn Defoe ble kampen helt forandret.

Derfor kunne vi ha skrevet om magiene i kampene. Om hvordan Defoe og Bale gjorde det magiske idag. Kunne ha skrevet dette om Louis Suarez, men jeg klarer ikke dette. Det Sturrigde gjorde var nobelt, kampen ble satt i flammer når Brendan Rodgers byttet ham inn etter pausen. Louis Suarez la kanskje en perfekt passning til Sturridge som var første reduseringsmålet mot Chelsea. Noe etter klarte han å være hovedpersonen på corneren til Chelsea. Da Suarez tok handen og lagde straffe. Der det ble 2-1 etter kongelagt straffe av Hazard. Deretter kommer det idiotiske bittet av Ivanovic.. Senere viser han igjen hvorfor man kan anse ham som en god spiller, han stanger ballen inn på overtid av overtiden. Det er dette vi burde ha diskutert. Dermed, blir fotball søndagen ødelagt av en mann. Her er ett klipp fra tiden da Ajax Vs PSV: da han beit Ajaxs Otman Bakkal. 

Når man trodde var nok galskap så gjør Suarez det igjen. For man husker øyeblikk som dette. Sky Sport analyse av denne hendelsen. Graeme Souness og Jamie Redknapp sier sannheten.  

Man husker slike øyeblikk. Dette er et velkjent øyeblikk med Vinnie Jones(Wimbeldon) og Paul Gascoigne(Newcastle). Vinnie Jones var med klubben og de ble jo kjent som «the Crazy gang». Cantona banket jo til en fan i løpet av kamp. Ble hardt straffet av FA. Dette må også Suarez bli, han ble i Nederland gitt 7 kampers karantene. Liverpool som en klubb som ønsker god anselse. Klubb-legende Kenny Daglish og manager Brendan Rodgers har begge de siste dagene snakket om «the Liverpool way». Om ære og hederlig vei i fotballen, ikke minst å også husker vi Suarez røde kort og straffe bommen til Ghana. Som ødelagde for mange av oss.

Idag viste han både sin geniale side og sin galne side. Som side om side desverre går i sammen. Fotballen trenger sunne eksempler. Slik som Juan Mata(Chelsea), Grant Holt(Norwich), Steven Gerrard(Liverpool), Neil Lennon(Tottenham), Brede Hangeland(Fulham) og Matthew Etherington(Stoke). Kunne ha nevnt flere, men disse er eksempler i sine klubber og Premier League. Kunne ha nevnt stjerner i Frankrike, Spania og Italia.

Derfor er det trist når en spiller som Suarez gjør slikt som idag. Det er bare ett par sekunder i løpet av 96 minutter. Disse er så essensielle, ikke nok at Brendan Rodgers viser taktisk kløkt med Sturridge. Dette blir satt i skyggen når Liverpool FC skal være en klubb med historisk sus og ære. Nå viser en av deres største stjerner lite æreful atferd. Atferden er ikke til å legge skjul feil. I ingen sport blir dette sett på som akseptabelt. Dette kommer til å bli husket slik som Roy Keans(Manchester United) takling av Alf Inge Haaland(Manchester City).

Jeg skulle ønske at dette blogg-innlegget kunne ha handlet om kampen om toppscorer tittelen i Premier leauge mot Bale(Tottenham) som har et mål mer enn Suarez. At Suarez biter Ivanvoic viser for andre gang hva han gjør. Noe som ikker er korrekt og håper han straffes både av klubb og FA. Dette er ødeleggende for fotballen. Jeg er faktisk lei av skrive navnet hans ned. Dette bør – bli en sak som viser hvor dumskap blir satt i system. Helt edruelig, og i rolig stemme si: Suarez bør gjemme seg og legge seg flat for media. Liverpool har en person med image problem som ikke passer det manger Brendan Rodgers og anstendige klubben vil stå for: Med «The Liverpool Way», hva nå enn det egentlig er for noe. Uansett. Rosenborg tapte idag og Strømsgodset vant. Alt i alt god fotball-søndag bare med en idiotisk hendelse!