Frank Lampard can copy Carlo Ancelotti tactic to overcome 'unforgivable' Everton errors

Increasingly parlous. That Everton have yet to fall into the bottom three to this point despite enduring one of the worst runs of form by any Premier League team in memory is amazing but, realistically, the margin for error has now gone. Frank Lampard and his players have to find a way to start winning or this once prestigious old club’s proud 68-year stretch in the top flight is going to come to an end this season. There are 27 points on offer between now and the end of the campaign, 15 of them at Goodison Park, which is a reason to hope, but things must turn around immediately, starting on Saturday against Manchester United.

Clearly fear is preying on the minds of the players; it’s evident in their play trying to move the ball forward and it is manifesting itself in those costly errors at the back. Part of it is due to the horrendous recruitment policy that has left the last two managers struggling to field an experienced, coherent side and forced Lampard, in particular, to rely on players as first-team starters who were long ago deemed surplus to requirements.

However, it also stands to reason that the more pressure is placed on a defence, the greater the chance for human error and a failure on the part of midfielders to adequately track back and cover has been a recurring theme all season.

I believe they can, particularly given how much more comfortable they have looked at home under Lampard, and it’s the hope that they will that is all that is keeping me going at the moment!

There is sufficient talent in the squad to pick up the required number of points over the final nine games, especially with Allan, Donny van de Beek and then, hopefully, Yerry Mina due to come back into the team, but it’s going to take the