Saints trip another important game to measure Everton progress

After a superb win over Leeds last weekend, Everton travel to the South of England to take on Southampton this Saturday.

This match is another big test of the progess Everton appear to have made since Frank Lampard took over on transfer deadline day.

True, the Toffees’ slipped back into their usual ways at Newcastle, but the two games at Goodison Park either side of that result – last weekend’s win and the 4-1 defeat of Brentford – do seem to indicate there were real improvements in the team’s play.

In particular, the Blues’ were more energetic, determined, physically dominant and played very much on the front foot against Leeds. And, every member of the team was focussed and played their part in securing the win.

Everton pressed very effectively, especially up front, and scored three goals in a dominant performance. They could, and maybe should, have added more.

Frank Lampard seems to have already installed a shift in the attitude and energy of the team in just a few weeks.

As we build up to Saturday’s game, the next key step is for the Toffees’ to replicate that sort of performance seen against Brentford and particularly Leeds, away from home.

For as long as I can remember now the Blues’ have been poor travellers and recently their record away from the comforting environs of the Grand Old Lady, has been awful.

Everton’s last win away from home was way back in August when they beat Brighton two nil at the Amex Stadium.

That was when there was still some optimism that Rafa Benitez’s appointment might work out as the team was basically fully fit and all the key players were performing well.

Now, after a disasterous collapse in form that included a dreadful run of results away from home compounded by very defensive tactics, Benitez got the sack and Lampard came in to replace him.

The Newcastle defeat was a warning that the old Everton mentality is still there and it did open Lampard’s eyes to the scale of the problem he had inherited.

Hopefully, with another week of work on the training ground he can continue to turn around the tendancy this team has to collapse away from home at the slightest degree of pressure.

As for the side that Lampard will pick, will he be tempted to stick with the same eleven that destroyed Leeds?

That team played so well and the performances of most players would perhaps usually give such an idea a serious basis.

Every player produced the goods with particularly impressive efforts by several who hadn’t been expected to start.

Jonjo Kenny and Alex Iwobi had oustanding games and given the injury problems Lampard has they could well have a significant part to play in the next few weeks and months.

Possibly, Demarai Gray might have been able to return for this match, but at his pre-match press conference the manager confirmed he won’t be fit in time.

I think it’s really important, whoever Lampard picks to play, for Everton to perform well, show resiliance if they aren’t able to dominate the match and try and come away from St Mary’s with a point at the very least.

Then we might begin to believe that real fundamental change in this team’s approach is taking place, which will give real hope and optimism for the future.