Everton news: Pundit lambasts Farhad Moshiri after what he’s heard – ‘serious changes are needed’
Noel Whelan has slammed Everton owner Farhad Moshiri for “blaming the fans” after he issued fresh backing to manager Frank Lampard.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted “serious changes will have to be made” if Lampard fails to get results against Southampton (14 January) and West Ham (21 January).
Speaking to talkSPORT (12 January), Moshiri urged fans to get behind the Everton boss – and accused fans of “driving out good managers” like Roberto Martinez, Marco Silva, and Ronald Koeman in the past.
He promised that the Toffees will be “competitive in two years” – once the construction of their state-of-the-art Bramley-Moore Dock stadium is complete.
Everton are in the relegation zone ahead of a double-header against rivals Southampton and West Ham over the next eight days.
Toffees fans are planning a number of protests against the Moshiri ownership – starting with the home clash against the Saints on Saturday (14 January).
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s certainly not helping himself with the fans.
“Every club belongs to the fans. They’re the heartbeat of everything.
“Coming out with a statement like that is only going to put more pressure on Frank Lampard, as well.
“To come out and blame the fans, that’s pretty serious – and it’s really not a smart move, in my opinion.
“These two games are massive for Lampard. I think they will define whether he stays or goes.
“If he can’t get enough points out of these games then serious changes will have to be made, no matter how much backing you’ve given the manager in the past.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Everton hijack winger deal with £17.7million bid.