How was Gordon trying his hardest at this time? Everton played 9 games since the start of November (7 league matches, one ELF cup, and one FA cup).
In that time, Gordon appeared only 6 times, missing three matches, and played mostly as a reserve. He started two games, was abysmal in both, and otherwise averaged 17 minutes per match in the remaining 4. He was arguably the worse Everton player on the pitch against Wolves in December, and was disastrous in the 4-1 loss to Bournemouth in the EFL cup.
Throughout that time, the team was reportedly working to sign him to a long term deal, and some of us started wondering about his drop off and absences. His mind was made up long before the recent troubles, and he had long since given up. If he had tried his hardest, Lampard might still be around with an improved squad, given his knack for drawing players dazzled by the former star.
But I think we're better off in the long run without Gordon, who's refusal to travel, etc., was likely cancerous in the squad. And if he had remained after Lampard was sacked, he would have stayed on the bench under Dyche.
