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This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more... 

Despite a return of only two wins from five league games there have been some positives to draw from Everton, but there is a sense that Marco Silva is holding back his own team.

On the chalkboard

Since arriving Silva has solely operated with one type of system, leading us to suggest that a change in formation could lead to greater improvement in a number of areas for the Toffees, from the defence to the attack.

However, if the Portuguese is going to be stubborn and stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation, then he should consider a subtle change which could make a great deal of difference to Everton's attacking threat.

It was likely hoped that Moise Kean and Alex Iwobi signing would have a significant effect, and although the latter has chipped in with two goals not much has changed in Everton's approach, with their average of 3.4 shots on target per game showing their threat is too easy to nullify.

As a result, the three attacking midfielders, which often includes Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson alongside Iwobi, need to be given greater freedom by their manager.

Attacking presence

Everton's lack of attacking threat, underline by their five goals in five games, has often led criticisms of the main striker, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin often the target.

However, he can only rely on the service behind him, and midfielders should be contributing goals too if Everton are to be unpredictable and difficult to contain.

All three of the Toffees' attacking midfielders have shown they are capable of being effective from different areas of the pitch, with Iwobi particularly significant due to his ability to take the ball past defenders, as evidenced by his average of two successful dribbles per game.

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Richarlison took up great positions against Bournemouth, striking the bar after a run from the left-side of the pitch, having already displayed against Wolves and Lincoln that his late runs into the box from the right-wing can result in goals.

Sigurdsson, too, can provide from out wide. His crossing is one of his best assets and that was highlighted by his role in Everton's third goal at Lincoln, as well as his assist for Iwobi's header against Wolves.

Those two have proved useful in a number of positions, and if given great license to roam they will be able to take up threatening positions, which is why restricting their movement comes at a cost to the team.