Frank Lampard believes New York City FC’s setup can still work, and that he and Andrea Pirlo just need time to figure out how to play together.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Lampard insisted there was no conflict with Pirlo, saying “we just need more time.”

Lampard’s much-anticipated debut for NYCFC was delayed due to an extension of his loan at Manchester City, followed by fitness issues upon his arrival to the United States. As a result, he did not get much time training with Pirlo, who also arrived this summer from Juventus.

The result has been a midfield which has often looked disorganized offensively and soft defensively, and a NYCFC squad that sits two points back of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference behind the Montreal Impact, despite playing three more games.

It also has prompted questions as to whether Lampard and Pirlo no longer have the legs to patrol the midfield together. But Lampard believes time can cure much of NYCFC's woes and that they have the talent to make it work. However, he added circumstance denied the duo time to work on their chemistry anywhere but in game situations.

"When he's got the ball in his feet and you're making runs, you know he's going to find you,” Lampard told ESPN FC. “We've only played a few games together. Andrea's just came in and I've been injured, I'm still not completely match fit myself.

"When you see us both at our top, especially me being fit, I think we can really link up well here and be successful."

The struggles of NYCFC’s high-profile roster, which also includes David Villa and United States international Mix Diskerud, has led to questions from head coach Jason Kreis about the team’s effort – something that was hard not to see as a shot at the team’s big names. But Lampard dismissed talk that he has a poor relationship with Kreis.

"I have a very good relationship with him. I've found him to be very good to work with since meeting him quite a while ago," he said. "He's a very forward thinking coach and gets on very well with his players as a man manager.

"So I like him a lot. I think a lot of our problems this year have been just first year problems... I think we can be a bit more settled and learn from this year [next season], hopefully that's where we can push on."

There is some reason to believe the optimism - NYCFC has won its last two games. But perhaps most importantly for his team, and NYCFC fans, after questions regarding his commitment prior to his arrival in New York, Lampard seems ready to put his full attention to MLS.

"Of course, there were times where I was looking here [New York City] and knowing that this is what I signed for,” he said. “But I couldn't please everyone at the same time. But what I have now is the desire and now that I'm here, I want to show I can do and help us win. "