Christmas cheer was in short supply as Everton supporters made their way out of Goodison Park on Monday.
No sooner had Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 95th-minute effort hit the back of the net, Blues fans flocked to the exits. Those who stayed until the end booed their side off.
Just like that, Everton were back. Back in a position they have so often found themselves in over the last 18 months.
READ MORE: Everton chief makes huge new stadium claim as key fans' request is 'delivered'
READ MORE: Dwight McNeil makes 'difficult' Everton transfer admission amid rallying cry to team-mates
These are worrying times for Everton supporters. Not for the first time they are starting to think and mutter that dreaded R-word, again.
Just months after securing their top-flight status with a comeback victory over Crystal Palace, some Blues supporters are now fearing the first part of 2023 will be once again spent fighting to preserve their place in the Premier League.
But it is easy to see why so many Evertonians are worried. Monday’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Wolves was the latest setback in a season that is very quickly turning sour.
The Blues have now lost their last four matches in all competitions and six of their previous eight league games.
Everton's plight has not been helped by having key forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin absent for prolonged periods, with the 25-year-old having played just six times this term.
Lampard and his side have plenty of problems at the minute, but putting the ball in the back of the net is definitely one of the biggest. The Blues have managed just 14 goals in all competitions so far this season.
And speaking after Monday’s defeat to Wolves, Lampard conceded he was worried by his side’s lack of cutting edge and knows reinforcements are crucial in January.
“It is a concern because if you cannot be clinical then it doesn’t give you comfort in games,” he said. “We are looking to bring in options to help the squad.”
January is set to be a huge month for everyone connected to the club. At least two forward players need to come in if the Blues are to move up the table.
But before the transfer window opens for business, there is the small task of a trip to Manchester City.
Just how do the Blues stop Erling Haaland and Co. at the Etihad? The forward struck twice for Pep Guardiola's side in their 3-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday night. He now has 20 Premier League goals in just 14 games, becoming the fastest player to that mark by seven matches.
The task facing the Blues seems an ominous one. In the eyes of many, it is a damage limitation exercise.
When asked how he planned to pick his players up ahead of their trip to the Etihad on Saturday after Monday’s defeat, Lampard revealed he would focus on the 'positives'.
“Give them time. It’s not one where I want to go in (to the dressing room) and say anything too negative to them,” he said.
“Every game has small details, we have to take it on the chin tonight. Tomorrow, a bit of time off for the lads and then start to prepare for Manchester City and go again.
“My opinion was that this year was always going to be tough off the back of where we were and how the summer went. We are trying to improve but it will be baby steps and sometimes you have periods like we’re in at the minute.
“But today we deserved to win the game, so we’ll hang onto those positives. There was a lot of good stuff from my coaching point of view, but not the result.”
The truth is, however, the Blues boss has already told his side what they need to do in the coming weeks. Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur back in October, Lampard came out swinging.
“We have shown things already this season that we can maybe go against people’s opinions of us,” he said.
“I have read a lot of opinions before the season. We were going down, I was number one to be leaving, you know all those things. There is nothing better than proving people wrong.”
And that is exactly what Everton’s players and Lampard need to start doing. They need to prove people wrong.
Right now, many of them are being written off. In the eyes of a number of bookmakers, Lampard will be the next manager to be sacked. In the eyes of many in the football world, Everton’s squad isn’t good enough.
A battle against relegation is being predicted. And many rival fans are taking great pleasure in claiming the Blues will have 'the best stadium in the Championship'.
But now is the time for those in the Everton dressing room to start proving people wrong - and there is no better place to start than at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.
READ MORE:
- Dwight McNeil makes 'difficult' Everton transfer admission amid rallying cry to team-mates
- Everton chief makes huge new stadium claim as key fans' request is 'delivered'
- Everton coach explains January transfer plans as 'exciting' Tom Cannon message sent
- Frank Lampard explains Amadou Onana's new Everton role amid 'better option' midfield claim
- Everton transfer priority is clear but Frank Lampard must make Tom Cannon decision
