Everton’s summer signings James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have ‘completely transformed the dressing room’, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The experienced duo have marshalled the backline expertly since arriving at Goodison Park and have played a pivotal part in the club’s impressive defensive record in the Premier League this season.

What is the latest news involving Everton?

Tarkowski joined Everton on a free transfer back in July after his Burnley contract expired and became Frank Lampard’s first acquisition of the summer.

He was then joined by Coady a month later with the England international arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan that includes an option to buy.

And the centre-backs, who earn a combined £140,000-per-week, have transformed Everton’s fortunes at the back in a remarkably short period of time.

Last season, the Toffees leaked 66 goals in their 38 Premier League fixtures, the fifth-highest total in the whole division and 13 more than relegated Burnley.

This time around, though, Everton have conceded a paltry 14 strikes in 14 top-flight fixtures, the fourth-lowest tally in the league; only the top three sides have let in fewer goals.

What has Brown said about Everton?

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Brown said: “There are a lot of Everton fans I've seen who already want Frank Lampard out and are impatient with things.

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“I think they are still in a minority really, probably quite a small minority. There are a lot of issues, I think. You have to remember that last season Everton almost went down, and the club's priority this summer was obviously to get their defence sorted.

“Lampard’s done a pretty good job of that by getting in two experienced centre-backs, who have completely transformed the dressing room and are producing on the pitch.”

How good have Tarkowski and Coady been?

Tarkowski has played every minute of Everton’s Premier League campaign to date, winning 2.9 aerial duels while averaging 1.7 interceptions, 5.4 clearances and 2.5 blocks, placing him in the top two for each metric when compared to his teammates.

On the other hand, Coady has turned out 13 times for Lampard’s charges, registering one goal and one assist, and has also put up some impressive underlying numbers.

As per WhoScored, the 6 foot 1 ace has averaged 4.5 clearances, 0.8 blocks and 4.7 long balls, placing him third for each metric amongst his Everton colleagues.

Both Tarkowski and Coady are evidently vital cogs for Everton, and their influence both on and off the pitch is clearly contributing to the Merseyside outfit’s stubborn defence.