Everton: Tony Scott on key change Frank Lampard has made

Tony Scott has revealed one key change Frank Lampard has made at Everton that has impressed him while speaking on the All Together Now podcast.

Everton managed to progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup after recording a straightforward but very important victory last weekend, which saw them record more shots and possession than their opposition during Lampard’s first game in charge.

This is in contrast to the last game Rafael Benitez was in charge for against Norwich City, as the Toffees enjoyed more of the ball but was perhaps down to going behind early on, while they still managed to register fewer shots on target than their relegation rivals.

Scott was impressed by the way that Lampard has got their defenders looking comfortable on the ball and not just passing it around for the sake of keeping possession.

He said: “The defence were very comfortable receiving the ball from Jordan Pickford – and this wasn’t a case of playing out from the back – and actually thought, if it had to go long, it went long. If it had to go diagonal, it went diagonal. It wasn’t constant playing out from the back, it was just an option.

“You’re seeing Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate drop ready to receive the ball from Pickford – which is interesting – and be comfortable, and you can tell he’s trying to instil belief in them to be comfortable on the ball.”

TIF Thoughts on Frank Lampard at Everton…

While advancing in the cup was a great start to life for Lampard, he did so against a Brentford team who have now not won in their previous five matches, while they were backed by a full Goodison Park. The real test comes this evening away to Newcastle United, who have a boatload of new recruits and will likely be roared on by their own full house at St. James’ Park.

If Lampard is able to get his Everton side dictating the tempo of play and running the show, it really will display the progress made in such a short period of time and will help Evertonians get over the nightmare of Benitez’s tenure, which saw them go on a run of one victory in 13 league matches, which included defeats at the hands of Norwich, Brentford and Watford.

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