The Athletic shares bright spots from Everton training ground, Paul Clement impresses
Despite the new manager bounce being ruined by defeat at Newcastle, there are positives to be drawn from Everton training, reports The Athletic.
The euphoria of Frank Lampard’s arrival as new manager, followed by the additions of his all-star coaching team, and the signings of Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek, translated into an uplifting 4-1 FA Cup victory over Brentford last weekend.
But many of the old problems returned in the damaging 3-1 defeat at Newcastle in midweek which lifted the Toffee’s opponents to only one point behind in the league.
However, Patrick Boyland reports in The Athletic that there have been improvements behind the scenes that should have an effect over time, with one new coach having stood out.
Boyland writes: “There have been positive noises about the overall standard of training sessions since the new regime took charge, with hugely-experienced coach Paul Clement among those said to have impressed.
“Numbers have been high, with a blank slate afforded to all members of the extended group.
“There was also a sense of enjoyment from the squad against Brentford that had been sorely lacking under [Rafael] Benitez.”
All very well
It didn’t take long for the new manager bounce to go flat on Merseyside with the sloppy loss to fellow relegation strugglers Newcastle.
The improved atmosphere after the negativity that came to surround the Benitez era looked like it had made all the difference against Brentford.
But the loss meant the Toffees have won once in the league since September, which is absolutely dismal form.
For all the encouraging signs from a new set up being installed, the club doesn’t have time to comfortably wait for changes to take hold.
And for his part, Lampard has said he knows he doesn’t have the luxury of time, but that improvement will not simply be night and day.
The feeling after the FA Cup win and the league loss were night and day however, so the hope has to be now that the next game brings an immediate switch back.
Home form may end up being the answer, if the players can harness the support of the fans.
It is good news to hear that Clement is impressing behind the scenes but his coaching will need to translate into more consistent performances on the pitch soon, if the club are to climb out of trouble.
In other Everton news, one key Goodison star could be on the way out of the club in the summer.