---
title: "Everton: Frank Lampard must make 2 changes vs Newcastle"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-frank-lampard-must-make-2-changes-vs-newcastle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Everton"
published: "2022-02-08T15:10:13Z"
modified: "2022-02-08T15:10:13Z"
---

# Everton: Frank Lampard must make 2 changes vs Newcastle

**This is part of The Transfer Tavern’s *Talking Tactics* series, where we analyse two changes the manager should make in their upcoming fixture.**

Frank Lampard’s Everton tenure began in style with a resounding 4-1 FA Cup victory over Brentford, but now attention turns to a crucial Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

The Toffees are hovering just four points above the relegation zone, and if results go against them this week, that gap could come down to one.

### Injury updates

There was a fresh blow for Everton against Brentford as Ben Godfrey sustained a hamstring injury which is expected to rule him out for [four to five weeks](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php).

He joins Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Abdoulaye Doucoure [on the sidelines](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php).

There’s better news on [Dominic Calvert-Lewin](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-newcastle-dominic-calvert-lewin-23001743), though, who’s back available after missing out at the squad.

### Kenny out

The first change Frank Lampard must make from [Everton’s last league game](https://www.sofascore.com/everton-aston-villa/PY) against Aston Villa is dropping Jonjoe Kenny.

Kenny struggled to make an impact in and out of possession against Villa, winning just one of his four duels, misplacing 17 of his 45 passes and failing to produce a single cross (via [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/everton-aston-villa/PY)).

Everton’s right-back faces a daunting test on Tuesday night in the form of Allan Saint-Maximin, who’s completing [more dribbles per 90 minutes (4.3)](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/8618/Stages/19793/PlayerStatistics/England-Premier-League-2021-2022) than anybody else in the Premier League.

Ultimately, you have to question whether Kenny is cut out for the PL, the [highest-ranking league in Europe](https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2022). On loan at Celtic last season, in the [ninth-best division](https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2022), he was derided as a [‘horror show’](https://twitter.com/pauljohndykes/status/1383795169598738441?s=21) by pundit Paul John Dykes.

Potential replacements include Seamus Coleman or [£12million](https://www.thenational.scot/sport/19821807.rangers-defender-nathan-patterson-set-clinch-12million-premier-league-move-everton/) January signing Nathan Patterson, who’s still awaiting a debut.

### Beef up the midfield

When he was manager, Rafael Benitez faced criticism for his use of a two-man midfield. [The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland](https://theathletic.com/3052595/2022/01/05/benitez-midfield-set-up-hurting-everton/) wrote that opponents who set up with a three were able to overwhelm The Toffees.

And significantly, Eddie Howe set out his Newcastle team in a [4-3-3 formation](https://www.sofascore.com/newcastle-united-leeds-united/JsO) last time out against Leeds United, with Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton across the middle.

Lampard matching up his opposite number would have the added benefit of accommodating new signing Donny van de Beek.

The Dutchman isn’t well-suited to a two because, in the words of Boyland’s colleague [Mark Carey](https://theathletic.com/3104890/2022/02/01/rejected-by-benitez-to-lampards-first-pick-what-donny-van-de-beek-offers-everton/), he offers a very limited ‘defensive presence’.

He [ranks well below](https://theathletic.com/3104890/2022/02/01/rejected-by-benitez-to-lampards-first-pick-what-donny-van-de-beek-offers-everton/) the average central midfielder for tackles, clearances and blocks, and so he should be unleashed in a more advanced role, with a duo of Allan and Andre Gomes offering protection behind him.

**Elsewhere, [Everton are interested in this UCL defender](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-transfer-rumours/everton-toffees-interested-in-noussair-mazraoui/).**