Everton owner Farhad Moshiri confirms he has 'faith' in Frank Lampard ahead of protest sit-in

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has confirmed he still has 'faith' in Frank Lampard and the board despite their recent poor form.

The Toffees Fan Forum wrote an open letter to the club owner on Friday asking him to resolve their current issues.

A protest sit-in is also planned for Saturday's vital game against other Southampton fighters.

With the club staring at a second successive relegation battle and the prospect of little encouragement in the transfer window from a club struggling with financial pressures, Moshiri has decided to address some of the criticism.

"I have confidence in the work done not only by our manager, but also by our director of football (Kevin Thelwell) and our board," he wrote in response.

"This faith is based on my knowledge of the depth and quality of the work being done at both Finch Farm and the Royal Liver Building - and the plan that is in place.

"I am convinced that we have competent, experienced and focused professionals at all levels of the club.

"We all agree that our current position in the league needs to improve and will improve.

"The goal of myself, the club and the fans is aligned - a better Everton - and I am confident we can move forward constructively and positively.

"I welcome the Fan Advisory Council's plans to hold a series of sessions with fans to gather feedback, thoughts and concerns - of which the Forum is a part."

However, the letter will do little to defuse tension among the fans, with the Fans Forum responding: "Our current situation is unacceptable. It is time for a better Everton".

NSNOW Group (a name taken from the club's motto Nil Satis Nisi Optimum), which organized Saturday's protest, want Moshiri to "make the changes needed to save Everton".

Over 67 fan and social media groups, as well as 21 official supporter clubs, have joined in support of the protest, which was originally scheduled for next month's game with Arsenal only in a home loss to Brighton in order to expedite their plans.< /p>

"Since Brighton's home defeat, there has been widespread awareness and agreement that only Everton fans, as the true guardians of the club, can force Farhad Moshiri to bring the changes needed to save Everton," a statement said.

"We will continue to provide the team and manager with the support that Evertonians are renowned for.

"However, we can no longer tolerate the failure of club owner Farhad Moshiri to address glaring leadership deficiencies at chairman, board and management level.

"Doing nothing is no longer a viable strategy for Farhad Moshiri and Everton."

Such hopes seem dashed, however, as Moshiri has withstood previous protests aimed at forcing his hand and, in any case, the club's statutes do not allow for the immediate and massive 'dismissal' of the board who, and even if there was a will to realize it, it would take several months.

Moshiri is approaching the seventh anniversary of its Goodison Park takeover and during this time there have been nine board changes, although the key figures the protesters are targeting, Chairman Bill Kenwright and General Manager Denise Barrett-Baxendale, remained.

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