Everton’s new set-piece coach Charlie Adam believes games can be won and lost from dead ball situations. The former Blackpool and Stoke City midfielder is of the opinion that corners and free-kicks provide the chance to “hurt opponents” and that working out how best to exploit such opportunities is an important part of the modern game.

Adam joined David Moyes’ Blues backroom staff last week and his mindset comes from an interview he conducted before being confirmed in his new role at Finch Farm

It offers an insight into what the figure who will now oversee Everton's set-piece planning thinks about the potential they have to help a team.

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Asked whether Arsenal, who under Mikel Arteta have become prolific from corners, had sacrificed their attacking principles from open play because of their success from set pieces, Adam said: “I'm all for it. It's part of the coaching. It's like a manual really about set-plays. You can win a game, you can lose a game from a set-play.

“So, the energy and the time and the effort that they put in, obviously there's a lot of set-play coaches now in the Premier League. But if you look at Arsenal being so successful, and I look at Aston Villa similar, Brentford similar, there'll be a lot of work going into it. A lot of detail goes into it. And they're getting the rewards for it.”

The former Scotland international does not believe there is a ‘catch-all’ approach that will guarantee success, but that set-pieces can be tailored towards the personnel available to a manager.

Adam said his work would see the use of video analysis to define the most effective plans: “You see who wants to go and hit the ball, you target these types of players. You look at the spaces, the gaps, the opportunities where you think you can attack and where you can hurt opponents.”

At Everton, Adam will have no shortage of options when it comes to targets in the box. Under former manager Sean Dyche the Blues adopted a routine that typically saw Dwight McNeil pick out James Tarkowski at the back post.

That was effective at times, while Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien, who has entered the starting line-up under Moyes, will also pose a threat.

Everton have been less successful from set-pieces this season, though enjoyed a bittersweet night against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of December.

The 4-0 win was a major boost for the Blues and all four goals came from dead-ball scenarios. It was also the last time McNeil, the team's most potent set-piece taker, made an appearance. He has since been out with a knee injury that, last week, Moyes said may now require surgery.

That is an early setback for Adam, who believes delivery is key. But it also means he has an immediate opportunity to prove his worth if he can find success with the rest of the squad.

Crucial to that, he told Best Betting Sites, is recognising set-plays are part of the game that a side can take control of. He said: “It's like a throw-in. It's an opportunity to have the ball. You get the ball back for a throw-in. That's your opportunity to keep the ball. Set-plays are the same.

“Go and work on things and put in that attention to detail in the Premier League. I'm all for it and I think it's something that Arsenal should be really proud of in terms of what they've done so far and the numbers they've got… And let's say it's good for teams to add something different.

“It's not just about being one-dimensional and thinking you can always win with a set-play. But if there's an opportunity to score a goal from a set-play, then you have to use it.”