Everton: Greg O’Keeffe on what Lampard has done well behind the scenes

Greg O’Keeffe has been speaking on the All Together Now podcast about what Frank Lampard has already done very well behind the scenes at Everton.

While the Toffees fell to a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle United in Lampard’s first Premier League game in charge, the changes made by the ex-England midfielder at Finch Farm have delighted O’Keeffe.

Something that could be massively important is confidence, and that is something Lampard has been trying to instil within his new group of players, who had won one league game in their previous 14 outings before Tuesday night’s game.

Speaking prior to Everton’s clash on Tyneside, O’Keeffe claimed that Lampard has done well to ensure all of his players feel confident.

He said: “I think he’s quite clever. I think he’s trying to build the confidence, which is obviously on the floor in recent weeks. He’s trying to kind of bring everyone together, certainly that starts at Finch Farm.

“The players, not that they were criticised openly previously, but there was certainly inference that they weren’t good enough.

“[Rafael] Benitez did often maintain they were working hard, but I think what Lampard is trying to do especially is try and win the hearts and minds of Finch Farm and maintain that there’s quality and just get those players believing in themselves.”

TIF Thoughts on Lampard at Everton…

Lampard certainly has a big job his hands to restore confidence to an Everton squad that has a lot of players likely to be low on confidence, with the likes of Dele Alli having scored zero open play goals since the start of last season; Donny van de Beek, who’s started just four league matches since arriving in England; and Salomon Rondon, who’s got one goal in 13 league appearances this season.

The defeat to Newcastle may be considered a setback, but with Lampard still getting to grips with the role at Goodison Park and O’Keeffe impressed with the ex-Chelsea man’s initial approach, perhaps we will see Everton turning the corner before too long.

In other news: ‘Which is interesting’ – Tony Scott buzzing over key Lampard change at Everton