Andros Townsend has warned new Tottenham manager Antonio Conte that his Everton side will be better equipped to cope with coming up against a team that operates with a three-man defence.
The Blues suffered their third straight Premier League defeat when they were beaten by Wolves at Molineux on Monday night.
Rafa Benitez’ side were made to pay for a shambolic opening 45 minutes of football in which they struggled to cope with Wolves’ 3-4-2-1 formation.
Conte was appointed Tottenham manager on Tuesday after the club opted to sack Nuno Espirito Santo following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday evening.
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The Italian arrives at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with four Serie A’s and one Premier League title and an FA Cup to his name.
And at Inter, Conte lined up primarily in a 3-5-2 formation having done the same during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Many are predicting the 52-year-old to set Spurs up in the same way, but Townsend believes work on the training ground this week will make his side better equipped to face a side with a three-man backline.
"The first half cost us,” the winger told evertontv following the defeat.
"We were too passive. Because we conceded a lot of goals in the last game, we were focused on being compact and being difficult to play through but we couldn't get close to them and their danger players – (Joao) Moutinho and (Ruben) Neves had too much time on the ball.
"Although we corrected that in the second half, we left ourselves way too much to do. In the Premier League, being 2-0 down away from home is always going to be a tall order and even though we created enough chances to do it, unfortunately, we couldn't find the back of the net for a second time.
"We changed to a 4-3-3 after the second goal which allowed two midfielders to get closer to their two midfielders and our wingers to press their centre halves.
“So, we got more pressure on the ball and more turnovers because of it - but, like I said, we had too much to do.
"Of course, there was a feeling that there was something in the game for us [in the second half]. At the start of the season, we were going behind and coming back, showing resilience.
“We know we have that in the dressing room – we know we have the quality to come back from losing positions because we've shown it before and we can do it again.
"The belief was there, the intent was there, the ambition was there but, unfortunately, while we got good crosses into the box, we couldn't get the rub of the green and get that second goal we needed.
"I'm sure we'll debrief from the game. The manager has already said what he felt in the dressing room and that will always stay private.
"We know what went wrong in the first half. I'm sure we'll work on that during the week to make sure that, if we do play against a three at the back again, which could possibly happen against Spurs on Sunday, we're better equipped.
"We know how to adapt better, how to get out to them and put more pressure on the ball than we did tonight."
Everton will go into Sunday's match at Goodison Park one point behind Spurs and one place lower than them in the table after three consecutive defeats.
But despite his side’s poor run of form, Townsend insists his side have the confidence and belief to turn things around starting this weekend.
He said: "Obviously, when you're not winning football matches it's never nice.
"It's not a great feeling for a player, a manager or a supporter. But we have the confidence in the dressing room.
"Before this run we were on a great one – at home and away. We know we have the quality in the dressing room and we have the Goodison Park faithful at our side on Sunday.
"We know they'll be there in numbers and, hopefully, we can give them a performance to be proud of and, most importantly, three points against Spurs."
