LAMPS VOWS HIS TOFFEES WON’T MELT

FRANK LAMPARD says he will always fight for Everton to ensure they are not a “soft touch”.

The Toffees boss (above) has been fined £30,000 and warned over his future conduct following an emotional outburst after the Merseyside derby, where he claimed a bias towards Mo Salah and Liverpool.

He also faced an inquiry from the FA over comments regarding VAR official Chris Kavanagh, where he seemed to imply a fix after a clear handball was missed, but later escaped a charge.

But such scrutiny will not stop him, with Lampard revealing he wants to put the emotional fight back into Goodison Park.

“I have felt we’ve had decisions not go our way that have been really clear and have affected us – and I do not want us to be seen as a team that is in any way a soft touch,” he said.

“I want Everton to be a club that stands up for itself, and if anyone has to do that, it is me. I’m not asking for favours from anybody, that would be ridiculous. I’m not questioning the integrity of anyone.

“But it is very important that when the opportunity comes to show we are a strong club, who will defend ourselves, absolutely I should be the first to do that and everyone should follow.”

Lampard has demonstrated in his short management career he is not afraid to go up against anybody.

That was apparent in a touchline bust up with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, when Lampard was manager of Chelsea, as he had to be separated from the German as things got heated.

And he wants that passion to feed through to Toffees fans and inspire them to an even more emotional support of the team.

“I wouldn’t hold back if I thought there was something affecting the club I felt wasn’t quite right, I have that strength of character,” he added.

“And I appreciated the importance of that connection with the fans. My first thought when I came here was, ‘Can I give them a team they really relate to?’

“When I speak or represent the club, which is a huge part of my job, can they see someone who is being honest with them? For good or for bad, that is important.

“What matters are the things you hear when you speak to the people involved and feel their passion, and the honesty of where we are and where we want to get to.”