Major Everton change for Crystal Palace identified as…

Major Everton change for Crystal Palace identified as blunt Frank Lampard call made

Tony Scott - A formation change is a must

After three defeats on the spin it's now time for Frank Lampard to change things. A formation change is a must.

Everton have deservedly been beaten in the past three matches but the biggest concern for Toffees supporters is the lack of creativity in the final third. 4-4-2 could be an option with a midfielder dropping out.

VERDICT FROM ST JAMES' PARK: Everton must face harsh reality over problem that has been glaring for months

Everton have Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit now so let's start playing to his strengths. He thrives from crosses and with Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon struggling it's now time to stick Dwight McNeill on the wing and supply Calvert-Lewin with some firepower. As we saw against Crystal Palace last time out, if you whip balls into the box for him, he will find the net.

Paul McParlan - Supply the strikers

One area of Everton’s game that has consistently needed to improve is the chronic inability of the wide defenders to support the wingers and provide decent service for the strikers.

Last night, and at Tottenham, that was clearly in evidence as Dominic Calvin Lewin and then Neil Maupay lingered in the Newcastle penalty area waiting for the cross or pass that never arrived. In the modern game, the full back is a vital element of a team’s attacking armoury.

Reece James at Chelsea and Joao Cancelo at Manchester City are examples of how successful sides use overlaps to devastating effect. They support their wingers, find space in opposition territory and create goal scoring opportunities for their team.

At Tottenham and Newcastle, Seamus Coleman and Vitaly Mykolenko failed to do this leaving Demarai Gary and Anthony Gordon isolated and heavily marked. Defences know that if they can contain these two then Everton’s attacking threat is severely limited.

Eight goals in ten games is a damning statistic. Is it time to consider a change of approach? Maybe go with Ruben Vinagre or even Stanley Mills on Saturday with the freedom to push forward, overload the wide areas and produce early, quality crosses and passes into the box? Already the game against

Crystal Palace is looking like a must – win fixture. Everton cannot go into the World Cup break lying in or close to the bottom three. Time for a change of approach, time to supply to the strikers!

Sean Turnbull - I was alarmed by Lampard’s post-match comments

The time has come for Frank Lampard to make changes. Enough is enough and Everton need a fresh impetus of energy.

Wednesday night’s game was an incredibly tough watch, once we fell behind I never felt like we were going to get back in it. A shot on target would have been nice, let alone a goal.

I was also alarmed by Lampard’s comments post-match. For the first time since he joined the club he seemed to be clutching at straws.

Yes, we could have had a penalty, but we also could have conceded more than the one we did. Right now, our play in the final third is alarming. We lack energy and ideas.

This is what Lampard should be focusing on now and not the fact the Blues should have had a penalty. Yes, that is frustrating, but it is so watching the Blues be so toothless in the final third.

Saturday’s game is a must-win. There is no other way to put it. Anything less than three points will be devastating and leave more questions than answers.

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