Neil Warnock has told talkSPORT that Frank Lampard is in a difficult situation with Everton as some defenders are not ‘Premier League standard’ and needs Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit.
Lampard suffered his fifth defeat in six top-flight games as the Toffees’ manager on Sunday when Wolves won 1-0. Conor Coady scored the only goal of the Goodison Park clash in the 49th-minute. Jonjoe Kenny later hindered any hopes of a comeback after a second yellow.
Everton now sit precariously above the relegation zone in 17th with just 22 points after 26 games. They have also conceded nine goals without scoring across their last four matches. But what may save the Blues is that they have three games in hand on Leeds and Watford.
Calvert-Lewin missed Wolves’ visit to Merseyside through illness, as the Everton striker sat out a 17th league game this season. The 24-year-old had missed 15 earlier this term with a quadriceps injury. An adductor issue also kept him out against Manchester City last month.
Lampard will hope to have the England international available when Newcastle United visit Goodison on Thursday night. But the Blues boss will also hope to see an improved display from his defenders and midfielders, after Wolves were able to dominate after the break.
Warnock feels ‘one or two’ Everton defenders aren’t Premier League standard
Warnock has taken aim at a few of Everton’s defenders for the Merseysiders’ dire recent run of form under Lampard. He believes not all of the Toffees’ backline are up to standard for Premier League football, and could be doing more to help avoid a possible relegation.
“Frank’s in a difficult situation,” Warnock said. “Calvert-Lewin, I think, is such an important player for them, he’s got to get him fit.
“I don’t think that the defenders are all Premier League standard. Not all of them, but one or two players could pull their finger and help the manager a bit.”
Lampard had named an unchanged backline for defeats to Southampton, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur before making changes against Wolves. Michael Keane made way on Sunday, with Ben Godfrey joining Mason Holgate, Kenny and captain Seamus Coleman.
Keane’s axe followed a horror show at Spurs, having opened the scoring with an own goal. But his north London nightmare that lasted 46-minutes was in part due to playing while he was unwell. So, he may now return to the Blues’ defensive line when they host Newcastle.
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