FRANKLY, I’M UP FOR FIGHT TO BEAT DROP
Lampard ‘excited’ for Toffees’ crunch game
FRANK LAMPARD insists he can handle the intense pressure of his first relegation fight as he prepares for tonight’s basement battle with Burnley.
Lampard spent his playing career at the other end of the table, winning everything from Premier Leagues to the Champions League and FA Cups to the Europa League with Chelsea.
But now he has been pitched into a battle for survival with Everton in what has been billed by club great Peter Reid as their biggest game since they avoided relegation on goal difference on the final day in 1998.
Toffees manager Lampard said: “Everyone is quick to tell me I’ve never been in a relegation battle – I suppose that’s a positive – but I’ve been in this game a long time and I understand big moments.
“Tension can be a good thing, it can also go the other way.
“I don’t feel tense, I actually feel excited with the level of game and the competitive nature of this game. I loved as a player being involved in competitive games when there was a lot on them.
“We’ve got 10 of those and this is the first one that’s in front of us. I’m calm and excited and when the game comes, we just have to have an absolute belief in ourselves.”
It is one of the most crucial relegation matches of the season – Everton are fourth from botttom, three points above the relegation zone, as they head to secondfrom- bottom Burnley, who are four points behind them.
Lampard is trying to transmit this calmness to his players and knows it is vital they are mentally right at Turf Moor.
He has been dismayed by some of their capitulations away from home and they have not won on the road in the league since August 28.
“Yeah, that’s very important because it’s a big deal,” Lampard said. “We’re in a position and a reality that we’re fighting at the bottom of the table to try to stay in the league.
“It’s been the case for a while, but with every game that goes, it becomes more intense, so the mental preparation, the physical preparation is key. Then it’s how you perform on the day.”
Lampard has also told his players to make sure they keep their cool tonight after receiving red cards in each of their past three Premier League games.
“It’s part of football and it’s about needing to adapt,” he said. “If there’s a challenge they can stay out of and stay on their feet, then they should do that.”