Wayne Rooney has told TalkSPORT (Friday, 9.30AM) that Frank Lampard will know he is under “pressure” at Everton and desperately need to beat Bournemouth on Saturday – their second clash against the Cherries in a week.
Lampard made a number of changes on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth. He watched on on the south coast, as Gary O’Neil’s side cruised to a slightly surprising 4-1 win. Everton desperately need revenge.
Everton sit in a perilous position of 16th place and just two points above the relegation zone. All four teams below Lampard’s Everton have changed their manager this season – in Wolves, Bournemouth, Forest and Southampton.
Everton icon Rooney was asked about the pressure on his old England teammate. He says that Lampard will know he is under pressure, and he needs a bit of luck. He thinks Saturday’s game is a must-win match, before the break.
“What Frank is trying to do, is get Everton solid. More organised. Sometimes you need luck. A big game on Saturday and if they get three points – they’re in a position to build on it. If they don’t, the pressure will build,” Rooney said.
Rooney: Lampard will know he is under pressure at Everton
If Everton lose, does Lampard’s position come into question? It certainly does, especially because Bournemouth will leapfrog them. If Southampton beat Liverpool, in what could be Nathan Jones’ debut, they will go above Everton.
Everton cannot lose the match. It will be a woeful end to what has been a disappointing start to the season, despite some glimpses of what they can do. Everton have the players to get away from this position in the League table.
The chances of Lampard being sacked, even after a second successive defeat to Bournemouth, is unlikely. The fans like Lampard. But it is crucial that Lampard gets a win to push Everton up the table. The pressure will grow, though.
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