Everton defender Conor Coady has defended manager Frank Lampard - and has called upon fans to "push" them out of their relegation fight.
The Blues face Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday looking to move out of the bottom three. They sit 18th on goal difference behind West Ham and just a point behind Bournemouth.
A win for Everton could see them move as high as 13th, should results go their way, but pressure is mounting not just on the manager but the players, owner and board as well.
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It was a difficult end to the calendar year and an equally tougher start as they ended the Christmas period with a dismal defeat at home to Wolves before a hard-earned draw at Premier League champions, Manchester City.
They followed up the positive display at the Etihad Stadium with one of the darkest displays of the former Chelsea boss' tenure against Brighton. The Seagulls netted four at Goodison Park before Demarai Gray added a consolation.
Coady, 29, who is on loan from Wolves, had defended the Everton manager and his teammates, insisting there isn't a lack of fight in the dressing room.
"I don't think you ever accuse this Everton team of not trying because there's lads in that dressing room, who for one, wouldn't let it happen, for two, we have miles too much respect for our manager to be doing that," he told talkSPORT.
"We believe in what he's trying to do, [believe in] him as manager, his staff and how he trains us and we're listening every single day to put his ideas across on the pitch.
"It's not the gaffer who goes on the grass, it's us who goes on the grass, we have to take responsibility for where we are."
Everton fans are planning to greet the coach ahead of their showdown with the Saints in a bid to inspire a performance and allow some respite, albeit possibly only temporarily.
There is a growing concern around the Blues faithful and a protest is scheduled for after the final whistle. But for the 90 minutes on the pitch, the defender has called upon fans to drag them over the line.
Coady added: "No matter what to stay with us. Listen, we all know in that changing room they will push this club and push it, push it, push it because of the demands.
"What they do for this club is absolutely incredible. [The message] Is to stay with us because we will push ourselves as hard as we can to get out of this situation - because we are the ones who have got ourselves into it, we'll take responsibility to get ourselves out of it as well. Drive us, push us, do everything you need to get us out of it."
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