Moshiri backs Lampard to turn it around at Everton

EVERTON owner Farhad Moshiri pledged his support to Frank Lampard last night and expressed faith that his embattled manager will turn things around.

The mood among fans is febrile and there are plans to protest against the board after Saturday’s fixture against Southampton at Goodison Park. Everton have lost nine of their last 12 matches but there is little desire in the stands for Lampard to lose his job. There is a widespread belief that he is the least of Everton’s problems. Moshiri received an open letter from Everton’s Fans Forum this week in which they expressed their concerns about the direction of the club, and the Iranian responded with his own open letter. ‘As the majority shareholder and proud custodian of Everton, I have the utmost respect for the support of Evertonians,’ Moshiri wrote. ‘I also understand the concerns that fans may have. I have faith in the work being done not only by our manager, but our director of football (Kevin Thelwell) and board of directors. That faith is based on my knowledge of the depth and quality of work being done and of the plan that is in place. I am confident we have skilled and experienced professionals at all levels of the club.’ Moshiri, who raised his controlling stake in Everton to 94 per cent last January, indicated that he does not have the appetite for more change, having sacked five managers and two directors of football since his arrival at the club in February 2016.

‘We are all agreed our current league position (18th) must and will improve,’ he said. ‘In almost seven years, I have significantly increased my investment and our new stadium has become reality. We have seen turnover in managers, directors of football and several board members, but always as we have striven to achieve success.’