Lampard hits back at Jamie Carragher after he called Everton an ‘absolute disgrace’ and tells players how to respond

FRANK LAMPARD told his players there is one way to make Jamie Carragher eat his words.

And that is by showing the boyhood Everton fan that they have the guts to keep their club in the Premier League.

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Everton boss Frank Lampard called on his players to react to Jamie Carragher’s fierce criticism[/caption]

Former Liverpool skipper and TV pundit Carragher labelled the Toffees an “absolute disgrace” following Sunday’s 1-0 Goodison defeat by Wolves.

That came hot on the heels of a 5-0 rout at Spurs. And a run of four defeats on the spin has left the Merseysiders outside the relegation zone on goal difference ahead of tonight’s home clash with Newcastle.

Asked about Carragher’s condemnation, Lampard replied: “It’s the players’ job to answer that on the pitch.

“The Wolves game wasn’t a disgrace but I understand the analysis. You look at Tottenham and I can say on a footballing level I didn’t like that game at all.

“I wouldn’t use that language, but I didn’t like the game at all.

“We have to accept that people have opinions — people who care and who do their jobs in the media, not just Jamie.

“The players have to answer on the pitch. It’s the only way. You’ll be in positions like this so many times in your careers. I expect everyone together, fighting. We have to get together, individually and collectively, and answer on the pitch.”

Failure to respond could see the Toffees relegated for the first time since 1951.

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But Lampard, who has lost five of six Premier League games since succeeding sacked Rafa Benitez warned his players against worrying about the weight of history.

Lampard added: “If you walk around in fear of relegation happening there’s a good chance you’re adding to the chances it may happen.

“It’s not the time for lies or to change the story. We know where we’re at.

“But we’ve also seen this club stay up on the last day of the season a couple of times. It’s nothing that’s absolutely new.

“Nerves creep in, that’s human nature, but for us it’s not about what might be but what we deal with, and that’s the 12 games in front of us.”

Unhappy Goodison fans are already booing Lampard’s side — just as they did when Benitez was in charge.

But the former Derby and Chelsea chief says supporters can still be crucial to the fight for survival.

He added: “The players have to play with a level of passion that engages the fans, with positive performances and ­positive results.”

 EVERTON (likely): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Holgate, Mykolenko; Van de Beek, Allan, Doucoure; Gordon, Richarlison, Gray.