Ancelotti pleased with team confidence and spirit

It was a bit worrying that, at Newcastle, we appeared to have reverted to zonal marking in defending corners and set pieces.

I agree a few tweaks here and there is just fine for starters. Football's a simple game so best to keep it simple. Players, especially some of ours, are easily confused!

I think we'll draw that and take 'em on the replay.

Tough games coming up and we shouldn't expect too much against and VAR club RS but the Carlo and Dunc. partnership has done well so far.

In Don Carlo We Trust. COYB.

Ancelotti has shown he is a master tactian as far as game management is concerned. Everton have lost their predictability and Ancelotti will be using all skills that players have and developing them to fit into his variations on his master plan.

Newcastle did not expect a attacking Everton, that morphed into offensive Everton, all in one game. Bruce looked a bit shellshocked at the end of the game.

Ancelotti is a really good Football Manager.

Unlike Allardyce who would have mugged it for all its worth for himself.

He can see a motivated squad but now against City he gest to see how we play football.

Feeling so much better with Carlo and Dunc at the helm

Happy new year to all Evertonians :-)

If the guy plays, I'm ready to give him a chance and see what he can do under Ancelotti. Schneiderlin has driven me mostly mad, my biggest beef with him being he slows down play to an absolute crawl.

But seeing the way we've played since Ancelotti has taken over, I don't think Carlo will allow Morgan to do that.

Schneiderlin has talent. FFS, anyone at this level does. It'll be very interesting to see a Morgan Schneiderlin playing the ball forward and quickly, and being told NOT to play it sideways. Maybe he can have a revival in an Ancelotti system?

Besides, our midfield options are scant as hell. Might as well think positive and get behind the guy; hoping he's been told to play in a much different manner than we are accustomed to seeing.

Knowing me after his first sideways pass I'll be calling for him to get hooked.

It is never about 'the self' with him (unlike, for example, Sam Allardyce).

He is keenly aware it is a team game. He always talks positively about his players, his coaching staff, the upcoming games (unlike, for example, David Moyes).

He also appears an extremely self-centered and balanced man. When asked about his reported sightings in downtown Liverpool, he answered with a casual shrug.

"I like to live a normal life, not live at Finch Farm 24 hours a day. I like to go out to restaurants. I really like the city."

It's going to be an interesting watch tomorrow.

As for Schneiderlin, he has ability as a footballer, so no reason CA cannot bring that out. I think all the players will try and raise their game now they are playing for a renowned manager. Whether he's part of the long-term picture is doubtful but I'm sure he'll contribute this season.

Link

This is a very slick and professional 12 minutes video of the away day at Newcastle.

You've intrigued me with your Sidibe reference. Has he been less than flattering about the city?

“It's an excellent league, probably the best in the world, with a lot of intensity.

“I live near Manchester, like the majority of players at Liverpool and Everton. Why? Let's say Liverpool is a bit of a… sad town, that went through some suffering in the past.

It's a major city. It happens. It's nice to read about how regenerated it is and how cosmopolitan it has become.

How can anyone take offense to Sidibe's comments? Don't understand that.

Basically nothing to see here then.

On my first trip back in 20 odd years a couple of years back I thought the inner city was hugely transformed. My Brazilian missus was well impressed.

Of course, high up her to do list was the Beatles museum and tour, but what literally moved her to tears was the outstanding International Slavery Museum, because of the strong trading links with Brazil where so many of the human cargo were traded to.

I'd move back in a heartbeat if I could. Great eats and drinking holes everywhere.

Not only a great manager who dwarfs the achievements of any previous managers we have had, but also a great man manager. He has been full of praise for the work Duncan has done, and rightly so. I am sure he realizes that if Duncan hadnt got good results before he came, he could well have taken over a team in the bottom 3 or worse.

He will know there is much to be done to completely turn things around, and we now face 2 of the toughest games of the season Man City away and then the league leaders in the Cup. This will be a good test of this teams new found confidence, and Ancelotti will learn more about his players from these 2 games than any other games left this season.

Clearly when things are tougher, the press conferences will be harder, but he really is class.

Ferguson brought both passion and an humble assuredness off the pitch. Long term I would love him to get his chance with us, but it would be fantastic for him, and for us all, if things continue in this manner (I don't quite mean 100% win rate, although that'd be 'nice!). What a phenomenal (for want of a better superlative) change since the start of December!

Some players will let the side down. Walcott was poor 90% of the time and Sigurdsson became anonymous as usual at the end of the first half against Newcastle. Ancelotti was assertive in addressing both issues with his subs. Ancelotti, as he says in his interview, is still open to see what players are capable of when challenged. I detect that he is actually looking forward to the Man City game to find out.

Of course Everton will have difficult games, but Ancelotti will work hard with players to overcome these difficult times. He has the players on his side and there is not one Everton player who is going to question his authority or methods, unlike Bayen Munich or the notorious Chelsea dressing room.

Des #28,

Duncan over the years has kept his head down and kept his nose clean, because he needed the job. He has been loyal to whoever he reported too, keeping his own opinions to himself. He has worked hard and closely with players. But, no matter how good you are, you are only as good as the Management team you belong to. When he took over as caretaker, the other coaches and player pulled in behind him. He had built up their respect over years. The performance that Duncan got out of Everton was not achieved overnight, but over years and personally with everyone involved.

He now is recognised and working with the best Manager he ever worked with, who thinks he is capable. Confidence added to ability makes all the difference. Some players will improve for the same reason.

Not now. I have been lucky enough to return thanks to many on here but especially the Abrahams family. It is a wonderful, vibrant city with great people.

I want to bring my wife for a visit, midweek, she hates football!! Pete Mills, we spoke about the old city and I would love to hear more about it.

Mike Gaynes, when are you coming over? Pick up Jamie Crowley on the way.

I firmly believe that under Koeman, Alardyce and Silva, Duncan was held back for fear of seeing what we have recently seen under his stewardship.

During the above 3's charge, the big man sat through the games, quiet, subdued and never spoken too in respect of what was happening on the pitch.

Why did they keep him? Because he's bloody good at what he does, that's why.

Some TW's have in the past asked what he does other than put the cones out. Total disrespect.

I was at Brighton before Koeman got the sack, and DF in the warm up stood around totally disinterested with what was going on, and when the players were called off he walked (yes walked) slowly well behind the players.
Is this the demeanour of a man with blue blood?

I take my hat to him for putting up with such derisory treatment for so long.

We are now seeing the real DF.
Ancelotti has seen straight away his qualities, which the last 3 between them couldn't see.

I really really really no longer care what they do - Everton excite me!!

Happy new year to good blues everywhere!
UTFT!!

No one doubts that the City game tomorrow will be tough to win and equally the RS cup-tie but after that there are some fairly winnable games that hopefully will see the Blues climb higher in the table.

Defence is the key and with a fit squad and the new-found spirit I would hope that more teams will find it a little more difficult to get results against us as they did in the first part of the season.

For all the doom and gloom and annual relegation fears on here, maybe Ancelotti's seen what plenty of my non-Evertonian friends see; a bloody big club waiting to be revived, a decent squad that needs organising & motivating, the chance to build a good team and take it to BMD. There's 9 million other reasons too, but achievers tend to want to achieve again - perhaps he's just seen another good opportunity.

Either way, we'll learn plenty over the next two games.

Happy New Year to Blues all over the world.

Andy Crooks -

Forgive me if I'm repeating myself, not sure if I mentioned to you? After my mate passed, and the initial wave of emotion which cascaded in a, “We've to get over there” sentiment passed, my wife and I spoke.

She wanted a new kitchen.

New kitchens aren't cheap. 😬. So the kitchen won and the trip was postponed. Frankly, I think it was a sound decision. Why? Because the wife felt it was a sound decision.

My plan is to make it over prior to Goodison closing, then over after Bramley-Moore Dock is built - but after some of the initial hub-bub has died down.

I want to see Everton play in the flesh under Carlo for sure.

I was a young supporter when we were last relegated in 1951. We had been so bad that I remember being certain that we would be relegated the pre season before it actually happened. Strangely enough, in my naivety, I wasn't that disappointed because I thought it would give me a chance to see teams that I had never seen before. I certainly would not want it to happen again.

I know we had some close calls such as the Wimbledon game in the early nineties. Since then I have always expected Everton to move away from the bottom dwellers. However. they have never made me totally satisfied with the one exception in 1995. Today I can say I am more positive that "Happy New Years May be Ahead".

Best of luck to all Evertonians

Duncan Ferguson has paved the way for Carlo. He has, to no small extent, saved our club. He has been a joy to watch. Sometimes being wrong is enjoyable.

Respect to you and your simple honesty. Although I don't know you, best wishes for a safe and happy New Year.

Same to all Blues.

Happy New Year to all Blues out there!

I have never been a fan of the Chairman but Gawd knows where Everton would be now if he hadn't been on hand to counter the owner's ignorance ever since the takeover,

"New kitchens aren't cheap. So the kitchen won and the trip was postponed. Frankly, I think it was a sound decision. Why? Because the wife felt it was a sound decision."

A genuine laugh out loud moment, Jamie, which recalls a memory from my already not so recent trip back to Liverpool.

Someone asked me what do I do these days.

I looked at them with incredulity on my face and replied:

"What do I do?! I'm married to a Brazilian woman! I do what I'm bloody well told!"

You're missus hasn't got any Brazilian Amazonian ancestry has she? Or more likely knowing a little of your history, Celtic blood from the old country like yourself?

Matriarchs not to be trifled with!

Happy New Year everyone.

Big Sam was told on getting the Everton job that he could get rid of Duncan. Big Sam found him professional and someone who was knowledge and good at his job.

It looks like Duncan survived at Everton on his work and ability. I myself often queried why he was being kept.

I now admit I was totally wrong and think he is vital to Everton progress under Ancelotti.

In a survey, it was found that, if a man lost what he considered vital, their partner would prefer the money spent on a new fitted kitchen rather than a replacement.

Take care and see you all in 2020.

To quote the classic Basil Fawlty line.

Link

No is the answer.

Regards to Sybil.

(By the way, just joking. Happy New Year)

Tomorrow the players can express themselves and play with no fear.

I'm feeling optimistic and a good performance and carry on from the Toon.

A good start to 2020, hopefully at City, and another notch on the life journey for me.

HNY 2020 and good health to All Evertonians.

I suspect his comments reflect imperfect translation.

There must be something about January and New Fitted Kitchens. I got caught for one last January. My daughter and his Australian boyfriend also arrived home and I found myself scaling a Mountain with them, , that he had read about in Australia. , and I had never heard off. I paid for accommodation and meals The weather was atrocious. They then went skiing in Austria where it was -40. The poor Aussie thought he was going to die. So much for the tuffness of a Aussie Rugby League Ref. They are in India this year at 20 degrees , leaving 50 degrees behind in Adelaide.

The whole of January cost me a fortune last year. The Latvian Kithchen designer , would pepper her conversation with Latvian, which seem in my mind to equate to swear words , but she was a terrific designer.

Happy new year.

Maybe the wrong Duncan got a knighthood in the
New Year's Honours.

Some women go for men in uniform ,firemen ,sailors even chefs .

Our manager won't be out thought
We are not beaten before we start
Our players will be up for it
Our away fans will make a lot of noise

I have put my lucky royal blue and white polo shirt on again today and also when I went to the local supermarket this morning the top shopping basket was blue - all the ones underneath it (about 30) were red. It has got to be a sign.

Up the Blues !!!!

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