Frank Lampard insisted Everton are not in a "crisis" despite the Toffees sitting just a point above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Everton were hammered 5-0 at Tottenham last time out as they fell to a 14th defeat in their last 18 top-flight games, leaving them in 17th with just 22 points after 25 games.
That is their lowest points tally at this stage of a top-flight season in the club's history, with Lampard's side heading into a crucial phase of the relegation battle.
Lampard has been keen to stress the importance of Everton's form at Goodison Park, but no team has lost more Premier League home games than the Toffees (13) since a 2-1 loss to West Ham at the start of 2021.
Ahead of hosting Wolves on Sunday, Lampard stressed his team's struggles are commonplace in football as he downplayed any suggestions of turmoil.
"It's not a crisis. It's very normal and I did have bad ones [in the past]. I don't need to name them, but I had some bad personal ones, team ones," Lampard responded when asked about the situation at Everton.
"That happens in football and in the position that we're in. I didn't think we'd win 15 on the bounce and get into the Europa League positions.
"You have to be very candid with the players, and they should want that because nobody liked Monday night [against Spurs]. I had them as a player."
Everton have lost their last three Premier League matches by an aggregate score of 8-0. They last had a longer run of consecutive league defeats without scoring a single goal between August and October 2005 (6), but Lampard remains optimistic.
"The message from my point of view is I'm very much ready for the fight and the challenge. Nothing has surprised me since coming in," he said.
"We appreciate the support, I remain very optimistic and confident, but the reality is we need results."
Lampard was also asked about his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who was sanctioned by the British government following Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
However, the 43-year-old revealed he did not often communicate with Abramovich, despite playing over 400 times for Chelsea and managing the club between 2019 and 2021.
"I can probably count on one hand how many times I've seen him in the last however many years," Lampard said of Abramovich.
"I worked for Chelsea, which was an absolute pleasure, for 13 years and that's exactly where I want to leave that one."
Bayern still have unfinished business in Bundesliga despite end of title reign
Thomas Tuchel has insisted Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga season is far from over despite Bayer Leverkusen ending the club’s bid for a 12th successive title.
Leverkusen’s 5-0 home win over Werder Bremen last Sunday left Bayern 16 points adrift with just five games to play, and although Tuchel’s deposed champions soothed their disappointment in midweek when they edged past Arsenal to book a Champions League semi-final showdown with Real Madrid, they still have work to do on the domestic front.
They lead third-placed Stuttgart only on goal difference and with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund still fighting for a top-four finish, cannot afford to relax as they head for Union Berlin on Saturday.
Tuchel told a press conference: “We want to prove our good form tomorrow.”You can celebrate moments like against Arsenal. The fixture list is full, now we’ve got another away trip, but the emotions after a game like that are special. It’s not a given. The team was able to enjoy it.
“I don’t know if it’ll kick-start things – it would be too late in the Bundesliga. We’ll prepare in a professional way. We’ve got a lot to come. The season isn’t over yet in the Bundesliga.”
Tuchel has decisions to make ahead of the trip to Berlin with Leroy Sane unlikely to be involved as he recovers from injury and Serge Gnabry facing a race against time to face Madrid on April 30.
Vastly experienced forward Thomas Muller was an unused substitute against the Gunners and Tuchel admits neither he nor the player was happy about the situation.
He said: “I hope our relationship is good and that it remains. Neither of us like the situation. He doesn’t like that he didn’t play and I don’t like that I had to tell him that.
“It was a sporting decision and no depreciation of his sporting status. He’s professional enough to put it behind him.”
Sane found himself the centre of attention the last time the sides met in January when Union coach Nenad Bjelica was sent off after pushing the Germany winger in the face as he attempted to retrieve the ball on the sideline and was subsequently handed a three-match ban and fined 25,000 euros.
Tuchel said: “I’d forgotten about that. I’m pleased for my colleague that there was no further impact. It was a one-off. They’ve become more solid under him and taken a step forward.”
Bjelica’s men, who have won just one of their last seven games, face a very different challenge to Bayern as they attempt to increase the three-point gap which currently separates them from the danger zone at the foot of the table.
The head coach told a press conference: “Of course it’s a big challenge to play against Bayern, but we expect to have a chance against any opponent. The entire squad is highly motivated.”
It’s time to show what we’re made of, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal team to show “what they are made of” after seeing their Premier League title bid stutter and their Champions League hopes dashed.
The Gunners crashed out of Europe at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday as the German side earned a 3-2 aggregate quarter-final victory.
That loss came hot on the heels of a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in the league, but Arsenal have the chance to return to the summit by beating Wolves on Saturday, with leaders Manchester City in FA Cup semi-final action against Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Molineux, Arteta said: “It’s been an experience, not the best one.
“We’re fully focused on the times we have ahead of us with six games to go.
“The context is clear, if we win we go top of the league, you don’t need anything else to be motivated.”
Arsenal are without a win in their last three games in all competitions, having drawn the first leg against Bayern.
“It is what it is and we have to accept it,” Arteta added.
“The Bayern one at home at the beginning, it could have been different. Against Villa we were the better team, but in the second half we paid the price for the chances we gave them and we have to move on from there.
“Now it is about showing against Wolves what we are made of and turning the situation around.”
Arteta thanked his players for all they have achieved so far this season.
He said: “I’m fully behind them. Thank you so much for the journey together, thank you for being in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and being so close.
“Thank you for competing against the best team in Premier League history (Manchester City) and the best team in the competition in the last eight years with Liverpool and we’re in with a chance to win it.
“Thank you so much for everything they have done, because it is unbelievable.”
At Molineux, Arsenal will face a Wolves side who are without a win in their last four league matches, but Arteta praised the job manager Gary O’Neil has done since taking over last summer.
He said: “He’s done unbelievable, so well. You can see by the way they’re coached, the spirit of the team, the difficulty they create for every opponent, they’re a really good side and it will be tough tomorrow.”
Hamstring operation puts Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes in doubt
Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes have suffered a major blow after the Scotland and Everton right-back was told he needs an operation.
Patterson has been ruled out for the rest of the domestic season after suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea on Monday.
The news will be a serious concern for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, who also has a major doubt over Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey’s fitness.
Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Patto will be out for the season, he will need surgery. It’s a very unfortunate injury. We’re disappointed in that one, for him as much as us as well.
“It’s a shame for Patto, he came on and looked sharp the other night, he’s been training really well, just getting back to where I think he can be – because I think he’s a very good player – and he’s very unfortunate with a really awkward fall.
“He won’t make another game this season, I’m sure.”
When asked about Patterson’s hopes of playing in the European Championship, Dyche said: “I don’t know on the medical side of the times other than this season, as in playing for us.
“But he will have surgery, so we hope that goes well and then it’s how quickly it settles, I’m sure.”
Hickey has not played since October – he also suffered a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge – and is unlikely to play for Brentford again this season, but has not given up hope of making the Euros.
Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston has been in recent squads while versatile Bristol City player Ross McCrorie, who has featured at right-back in his career, was also a late call-up recently.
Clarke suffered a major blow earlier in the week when it was revealed that in-form Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson had suffered cruciate ligament damage, ruling him out of the summer tournament in Germany.
There was better news for Clarke from Norwich this week when it was revealed Grant Hanley is expected to return to training next week.
The defender pulled out of the Scotland squad for recent friendlies against Netherlands and Northern Ireland after suffering a setback following his recent return from a long-term Achilles injury.
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