Tony Scott has been speaking on the All Together Now podcast about how he wants Frank Lampard to start Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton were heading into their second away league match under Lampard with renewed optimism following their demolition of Leeds United at Goodison Park a week earlier, however, come the end of the game, old problems and issues were still very much alive and kicking.
Should Branthwaite start for Everton?
Yes!
No!
In their defeat to Southampton, the Toffees once again failed to keep a clean sheet away from home – something they’ve done just once in the league this season.
The Saints’ second goal, in particular, involved a calamity of errors from several players where nobody pressured Southampton’s midfield, before Tino Livramento was given as much space as he’d like to cross the ball as Shane Long outjumped Seamus Coleman at the back post easily.
Scott hopes Lampard reacts and believes that throwing in 19-year old Branthwaite could be something the manager should look to do.
“I hope it’s a lesson learned indeed and his backroom staff and everyone involved – the likes of Ashley Cole, everyone involved at Everton there at the backroom, I hope they’ve learned a very, very valuable lesson there that many Evertonians could have told him.
“It’s up to him, he’s obviously got to see what’s in front of him. And I get it, he’s having to play the likes of Michael Keane and Mason Holgate because there are not many options. Jarrad Branthwaite – I’d probably throw him in myself, personally.”
TIF Thoughts on Everton’s defence…
Since Lampard managed his first game as Toffees boss against Brentford in the FA Cup, he’s started Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Seamus Coleman in every match, but while they kept a clean sheet against Leeds, they’ve shipped six goals across four matches, so there appears to be a clear problem at the back.
Everton’s next match is against title chasers Manchester City, so it’s very unlikely they will shut the door on them, however, after that, they face Crystal Palace, so that could be a chance for Lampard to hand someone like Branthwaite only his second start of the season and show he’s willing to give youth a chance as well as being ruthless with his regular first-team starters.
In other news: ‘Got to be excited’ – 20 y/o tipped to undergo Mason Mount transformation at Everton