Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be just as frustrated as Everton fans right now.
The striker has missed the majority of the campaign through injury, being forced to sit helplessly on the sidelines as the Blues slipped further down the Premier League table.
Many hung their hats on the England international's return as being a potential turning point for what has turned into a dismal campaign.
But everyone is finding out that things don't necessarily work that way.
The England international himself won't be happy with how his return has eventually panned out, with him not being able to find the back of the net yet after coming back from his four-month injury layoff.
He took the opportunity on Saturday to apologise to Everton fans, most likely on behalf of the rest of his teammates rather than for his own performance.
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But there were a section of fans who shared their particular criticisms of the striker himself following the full time whistle against Southampton.
Calvert-Lewin had cut a peripheral figure to say the least against the Saints. He wasn't presented with any real opportunities on goal and much of his action was taken up in physical battles with centre-backs.
In fact, Lampard hinted that his striker had been used as a "battering ram" - and that's not what he wants to do.
The manager remarked: "Firstly we have to give him time, because he's been out for a long time.
"A striker at the top end of the pitch is always at the edge in sharpness, and we can't expect all of that.
"We didn't play through the lines well enough. We can't use Dominic as a battering ram, he has too much quality for that and I don't want to use him that way.
"It wasn't a game to judge Dominic on goal input today. We know that when he gets fit, we get better."
Of course, the situation Everton find themselves in right now doesn't lend itself very well to giving players a requisite amount of time to slowly work their way back.
Fans have become impatient for a consistent improvement in results and performances after seeing far too many tepid and lacklustre displays from their side in recent months.
That's understandable, but it's unfair to throw the weight of that burden onto the shoulders of Calvert-Lewin.
A lot of pressure naturally appears on the striker when he's come back into the side thanks to how influential he proved to be over the course of last season.
Expectation is high due to those goalscoring exploits, and absence only makes the heart grow fonder.
But, as tough as it might be, Lampard is right on both counts.
Firstly, Calvert-Lewin does need time to get back to full fitness and to his full potential once more.
Working at the top end of the pitch, there's a lot less margin for error - and it's perhaps much more noticeable when players are lacking match sharpness.
The England international looked to be progressing very well against Leeds, and was nearing his combative best.
He linked up well with those around him, he gave the centre-backs a torrid time in terms of the physical battle - and only a good save from Illan Meslier in the first half denied him a goal.
When that first strike comes, you have to believe the confidence will follow.
But of course, there's another good point that Lampard made in his post-Southampton comments.
Not only did Everton not have a shot on target at St Mary's at the weekend, they didn't create any big chances either.
Fans are expecting Calvert-Lewin to be back in the goals as soon as possible, but he's not a miracle worker. He can't score if he's not given the opportunity to.
What made the striker such a dangerous prospect for opposition defences over the course of the 2020/21 season especially was his proficiency with one-touch finishes inside the box.
He transformed himself into a poacher inside the box, especially with his heading ability, becoming a pretty ruthless forward in that regard.
Until Everton are regularly providing those kind of chances again, then we might not see the very best of Calvert-Lewin even when he is at full fitness.
He can do a job as a "battering ram", but Lampard knows that's not his best asset. He's a goalscorer inside the box, and he needs the opportunities to do that.
Evertonians shouldn't be too concerned right now after just a few games back for Calvert-Lewin, and his performance against Leeds should really prove that.
For the striker himself, there's nothing to apologise for. He's working his way back to his best, and needs time to do so.
There's not a lot of patience going around at Goodison right now, but Calvert-Lewin should have earned his fair share.
