Everton news: ‘Fragile’ stars slammed after Frank Lampard dig – Mills
Danny Mills has insisted the blame for poor away form at Everton cannot be placed solely with Frank Lampard and his coaching staff.
The former England defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Toffees star’s “fragile” confidence and mentality could be the cause of the 43-year-old’s public ire.
As quoted by the BBC after Everton were defeated 4-0 away at Crystal Palace on Sunday (20 March), Lampard aimed a dig at his squad, saying there is “only so much you can do to butter someone up to give them confidence”.
He also insisted his side played at “70%”, before questioning whether his players had the correct mentality to play for the club.
Everton’s away form has been an issue this term, with just one win in 13 league games away from Goodison Park.
Mills expressed his puzzlement about the Merseysiders’ “flat” performances on the road.
“It’s so hard sometimes when the players are flat and down,” he told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“A manager can say all the right things, but the players have got to actually believe that.
“If they don’t believe it, they don’t go out and perform – because confidence is a very fragile thing.
“You can lose it very quickly, and it’s a lot harder to gain.
“The performances against Man City and Newcastle were brilliant. Was the training plan and the message any different going into the Crystal Palace game? No, of course it wasn’t.
“It’s not necessarily on Frank and his coaching staff. The players didn’t deliver the same performance levels or intensity. That’s happened a lot away from home.
“That comes down to mentality of players. You can’t just point the finger at the coaching staff.”
In other news, pundit tips Lampard to make tactical “tweak” after Everton “embarrassment”.