Spurs v Everton Preview: five areas to analyse

Finally Everton had a midfield they could rely on last weekend

3. Midfield three shows this is the way forward for Everton

One of the biggest issues without doubt of Everton’s woeful away form has been the way the midfield has been overrun time and time again.

This was illustrated and magnified in the last away game at Southampton when in the second half Andre Gomes and Van De Beek were described by myself as powder puff as waves and waves of Southampton’s attacks came raining down on Jordon Pickford’s goal.

Too many times the midfield has only had two central midfielders in situ and have been over powered and outran by the opposition. Allan and Doucoure have of course been those two on most occasions especially when Benitez was insistent on a wing back system.

Due to the lack of other quality options in midfield or mounting injuries you can see why this has been the only option in some games.

Tom Davies is now out for the season with injury, JP Gbamin has joined CSKA Moscow on loan for the rest of the season and Gomes has been in and out of the treatment room with his form in the same state.

Now though Van De Beek, albeit only on loan from Manchester United, offers that quality alternative and as we have seen in spells can really add substance to what already is offered by Allan and Doucoure.

Last weekend against champions and league leaders City these three actually dominated the game for a spell in the first half. City struggled to get through the press and when they won the ball back they linked and passed the ball on swiftly and efficiently.

Whether against Spurs this will be the same is a question for Lampard, I believe he must start these three but he may ask them to sit a little bit more when Spurs have possession.

This is because Spurs are not afraid to play balls over the top and Kane drops into that number ten role to release the quicker forwards.

It is likely Allan will be tasked with this sit in role while Doucoure and Van De Beek press on to the midfield two of Spurs.

It may well be a case of letting Spurs have more possession and drop in when they have the ball, then when you can steal the ball you then use the intensity to get forward. This will rely on the quickness of the front three also, which is discussed next.