Here are your Everton morning headlines for Wednesday, April 13.
Frank Lampard could take new training ground approach
In normal circumstances, Frank Lampard might not have wanted the upcoming break that is facing his Everton side. Having just beaten Manchester United in one of the most rousing and crucial performances of the season, the initial feeling might have been to keep the momentum up as much as possible.
However, having played a taxing three matches in the space of the last week, in fact it probably came as something of a relief for both the boss and for his players. The Blues have given themselves what could be an important lifeline at this late stage of the season, and their current break now provides them options to try and hammer home some important work ahead of the season's final eight matches.
Everton are not in action this weekend as their scheduled matches against Crystal Palace has been postponed due to the Eagles' progress in the FA Cup, at the Blues' expense. There are significant ways that Lampard can turn this time on the training pitch into a positive though.
READ MORE: Fabian Delph has made Everton fans say something they never thought they would
READ MORE: Ralf Rangnick showed real lack of professionalism with Everton comments
Following the victory over Manchester United on Saturday, he remarked: "We will work on the team, we will work a bit on the team in terms of the defence and offensive side but the most important thing is to keep the feeling now.
"I think this is going to be about people, about players, about how we broach it as a squad, so over the course of the 10 days a bit of rest, good feeling in training, positive feeling, nothing negative and be ready for Leicester."
Of course, the manager will not have wanted to go too far into specifics - and so it's left to us to speculate over what might just be taking place behind-closed-doors at Finch Farm in the coming days. Initially at least, you'd imagine there'll not be much - with the players set to have been given a few days of rest after their exploits at the weekend.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
Alex Iwobi is changing Everton expectations
One of the biggest plus points surrounding Everton over their last few matches has been Alex Iwobi. The Nigeria international has been given his opportunity in the centre of the pitch by Frank Lampard, and has been allowed to shine in that role.
In particular, Blues fans were quick to praise him for his display against Manchester United. Both in terms of work-rate off the ball and quality when in possession, he put in yet another impressive display that was crucial to his side picking up all three points.
And he became a big point of discussion on the latest edition of our Royal Blue Podcast . Host Adam Jones asked both Chris Beesley and Gavin Buckland about Iwobi and just how much the perception of him has changed in recent weeks.
Adam: This is probably the most consistent Alex Iwobi we've seen during his time at Everton. Probably the most fit he's looked during his time at Everton I would argue as well.
Frank Lampard is really getting a tune out of him isn't he?
Chris: It's just what we've always wanted to see. It's been so frustrating going on and on about Alex Iwobi and rightly so, because we know that there's a talent in there.
Arsene Wenger would not have indulged a player for however many games, he couldn't have got away with it, there's obviously something about him. I think Everton have overpaid for him, but he's not a lost cause, he's a talented player.
Other Everton managers have not been able to tap into that, none of them have really got the best out of him. Now it's a clean slate with Frank Lampard, he's been given a chance and he's working hard.
He might not be the sort of player maybe Evertonians envisaged he would be, or playing in the sort of role - that's been another thing, asking what his best position is. But he's giving his all.
He was unfortunate at West Ham United that it was his mistake for the goal, but there were some nice through-balls at Burnley where he looked a real creative force. And the hard work was there at Goodison, where he responded to the crowd and the encouragement he was getting from them.
So to turn that around, at one point there was a dismayed "Alex Iwobi", not because anyone disliked him but because of the frustration at these performances over the last few years. Hopefully, long may it continue.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
