Ancelotti remaining 'positive' as difficult run looms

Of course he has to remain positive. He's not exactly going to come out and say...
"Well actually I'm sheetting the bricks because we have a paper theen squad with very little talent outside our first 11, and I worry about how we are going to cope with the 6 tough matches in this moment to New Year, even assuming injuries and suspensions don't take their usual toll"... is he?

The run up to the New Year is going to be trying for all of us. It's just a shame we haven't managed to consolidate a few more points from those games which we probably should have. However, I think we will be in much the same league position at the end of the year as we are now, with a widening gap above us and progress in the Carabao.

Somebody needs to hold Brands and/or Ancelotti accountable for why we don't have a credible back up for either full back positions. That has been a significant reason for our stumbling form, not that the two out are that good, but they are two of our better players and their absence has involved us fiddling with our system and playing players out of position. Our squad is simply not at the quality level necessary to get away with than, even against the lowly teams we have mostly been playing.

Another thought;
Sounds like Moise Kean is pushing for a permanent move to PSG. How about getting Idrissa Gueye back as part of an agreement, initially on loan from Jan 1st. I think he is a player who would be the missing link and would make our midfield work better, especially with the necessary inclusion of James Rodriguez. Sigurdsson, Delph and Gomes hopefully can engineer a move for themselves as I can’t see a future for any of them at Everton. Well, maybe Gomes but I’m am certainly not optimistic.

However, they wilt under any decent press and give the ball away and our star players aren't playing like stars (except DCL).

There's a general fragility, if we lose against Chelski that could well and truly set the tone for the next four games, that being the case others below and above might make merry over the Christmas period at our expense.

What Ancelotti is saying, will be part of the pyschological game aimed at the players and I believe he understands the real disposition of his troops. If he doesn't the truth will hit home shortly.

Chelsea are everything we should have been given what we have spent over the years.

Young strong, Skillful and pacy.

I am dreading the weekend even moreso now Ive just reminded myself.

No reserve full backs
No reserve striker

and the usual dire, losing football. Nothing has changed really

Our neighbours win major trophies and get constant media fawning and global recognition. Everton are the Peoples Club, with a shabby run down stadium and obsessed with history, all of course in the real world of 2020 professional sport means nowt.

Yes i'm down on it (i've had a dreadfull year personally) but the football we see our team playing year on year is awfull.

Carlos contract will net him millions, while Everton continue running to stand still. Like Seamus after a derby defeat, actions speak louder than words.

Sorry to hear you have had a dreadful year, and sadly our club haven't done a lot to brighten your year. I know many on T/W don't like to mention the other lot but your right for the last few seasons they have gone from strength to strength. Despite having as bad an injury list as us it doesnt seem to have deterred them at all, despite them competing in Europe as well as the league.

I just think what the last 5 years have highlighted is if you keep changing managers every couple of years or less, then its a recipe for failure. When you think 2 of our last 5 managers had the heady distinction of having their clubs relegated immediately before joining us. Another was appointed not because of his ability to win things no, he was signed because he has a good record of stopping clubs getting relegated. So its little surprise to most that we are still struggling to get any consistency out of a group who have never shown any consistency. I do believe that Ancelotti will turn things around, and I can well understand some saying they expected more from him than we are seeing at the moment. But he has won just about everything there is to win in the game, and given time and money to spend he unlike most of his recent predecessors has proven he is a winner.

So for me we have to believe in Ancelotti, because if he cant turn this club around then I fear where we would end up if he leaves without winning a trophy. This club has given us nothing to shout about for decades, but its extremely lucky that it has the most loyal fans there is around, but another decade without a trophy and I think fans would start voting with their feet.

Hopefully, we will now start to see some of this expertise...

Start by ditching the usual dross and pick a few kids keen to learn.

I wonder what Steven Naismith is doing this weekend?

As for Ancelotti, he has to put a positive spin on our current points tally and league position, with the hope that his troops can rally to some unexpected victories in the coming month, the last thing the players need is for the manager to show he doesn't rate or believe in them.

Being a footy manager seems to have less and less to do with managing the footy these days.
I bet he would rather just be getting on with it than wasting his time straight batting inane questions.

You just have to hope he can get a tune out of his team and get us back in the mix. If ever we needed a big win, its now. It would change the entire mood of the place. Two good 45mins.

We cant keep playing in snatches

I hope, if nothing else, the past few matches have shown we need to stick with a 4-3-3. Gomes has his issues, but he's the best option for that third midfielder at present. And if Digne and Coleman being injured means we play Nkounkou and Kenny, so be it. Getting cute with the wingbacks just isn't cutting it.

I only have one gripe. Why is a 29-year-old A-list professional footballer (Rodriguez) not able to last the full 90 mins?

He trains every single day. Surely they train for more than 90 mins a session. Why is he knackered after 65 or 70 mins? Is it genetic?

There's no excuses, every team has injuries, it will be interesting to see if Nkounkou, Gordon or Kenny, are in the squad, and what formation.

Chelsea have pace all over, but the players have to believe and be professional and ruthless on the park, and fight for every ball and work hard off the ball and manage the spaces.

Looking forward to the game and a consistent 95 minutes from Everton..

If we win, we will be 2 points behind Champions League "certain". If we lose, the 5 points behind (2 games)... in December.

I don't think we're in as bad a place as some make out despite the recent bad form.

Season ends in May. Moyes promoters know that well.

The midfield is the big problem and what we saw from the new boys early on has waned dramatically.

Even if we somehow win the next game, we cannot be sure they will have turned the corner as they have been constantly a letdown.

Fingers crossed they can finish the year with some better displays.

Maybe the time is right to try and soften Palace with Tosun, Bolasie and some cash, for a sweetener for Zaha.

No, Chelsea are what we wish we could be. But they are a team that has spent far, far more, has at least a decade of success, and are in a completely different market to us.

All for ambition, but reality is, well reality. We try and get the players Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal don't use, they are signing top talent from across the world.

Several different permutations have been tried recently, with scant success. Fitness permitting, in a good old-fashioned 4-4-2 formation, my team to face Chelsea, for what it's worth:

Pickford (G)
Holgate (RB) Keane (CB) Mina (CB) Godfrey (LB)
Rodriguez (RM) Allan (CM) Gomes (CM) Doucouré (LM)
Calvert-Lewin (F) Richarlison (F)

I really like that team in a 4-4-2 but we all know he won't do that on Saturday. I fear the worst

Unless Carlo reverts back to a 4-4-2 system or something similar. I think we will be lucky to get a couple of draws playing with the disastrous three centre-backs he has mysteriously deployed since the derby game.

I understand we must remain positive but it would be nice to have clear visible evidence that the team are actually working on defending in training, I've lost count the amount of times I've seen Everton defenders turn their backs on shots that have then resulted in goals.

Going forward, for me, I still smell a problem too because, if Calvert-Lewin was to lose form or, even worse, get any kind of injury for a lengthy period, then we would be doomed at that end too.

We don't commit anywhere near enough men into the box; whilst it's been falling for Dom kindly this season, soon defenders will get tight to him and that's where others need to start pulling their finger out.

I can't believe Richarlison has only scored one penalty in the league all season; that needs to be an area where he needs to improve his game for me.

Iwobi has done okay on the right but again, an attacking player that's scored one goal in 16 months here – not enough.

James needs to start bringing more goals to the table because I had him earmarked down for a good solid 10-12 goals.

Doucouré needs to start pushing up more and doing what we saw at Fulham; he is our most likely candidate as being the "Tim Cahill" type that should be arriving with late runs, scoring some headers etc.

Allan and Gomes probably won't score three between them.

Sigurdsson has long since lost his scoring boots and the likes of Davies was never really a goalscorer from midfield.

So again, we find ourselves overly reliant on one man... so it's looking like it could become a problem very easily sooner rather than later.

When you look at our fixtures, unless we improve on the last six performance levels, then we will be 13th come New Year; the Premier League is unforgiving – as we found out last season.

Has anyone else received or not received said questionnaire?

Mina is great one game, then it appears in the next that he's left his brain at home.

This passing out from the back is a disaster, players don't seem to be on the same page. Passes under-hit or to a player that is being marked. If we get away with it, then it's back to Pickford to lash it forward.

This team just invites pressure, and has forgotten how to close down the opposition. Teams just wait for them to be given the ball, they don't have to do much.

We just need some of our fans to show the same positivity.

I'd be less concerned about the quality of the opposition, as they should hopefully afford us more space to play on the counter. But the amount of games is worrying – especially as we have not tried the likes of Gordon and Nkounkou properly, when we should have. Instead we're going to have to go in to these games with a patchwork team, low in confidence.

All we can do is try and stay positive, and hope Ancelotti doesn't just reveal himself as the Italian Kevin Keegan or Bobby Brown Shoes – great when it's all going well, loved by the players they wrap arms around, yet devoid of any ideas when things go wrong.

Don't get me wrong: there is no way we'd have attracted some of the players we have without him... but, yeah, I'm yet to see any genuinely great tactical moves... and even Roberto did the Lukaku wing surprise against Arsenal (though it was much less effective second and third time).

We are still dicking about with the ball around our box but clearly lack the players to do it. Other managers are targeting it, so why are we still doing it?!!!

[I do realise how little positivity there is in what I've written!]

I watched them against West Brom away and earlier Brighton away... okay, they got 4 points from those games but were very very lucky to take 4 points.

The game on Saturday will be a lot closer than people think and I fancy us for at least a draw, if not a win. Leicester are blowing hot 'n' cold Arsenal are shite so there's points to be won there… if we get our act together (and it is a big 'if' like).

The fact Carlo is so well thought of is great; he is a great fella and his career is sparkling with silverware at some of the finest clubs on the planet, working with some of the game's greatest players.

However, Everton was always going to be a very, very different challenge; a club that didn't already have superstar talent that just needed a few egos massaging.

What Everton needed back then – and still need now – is a massive overhaul and a shift in mentality.

The part where Kaka says Ancelotti came in and didn't want to change a thing... perhaps, in our case, that's not a good trait because that's exactly what we do need, someone to come in and totally change the dynamic of the club, the training, the fitness, the mentality.

Listen, I love Carlo and he's a great guy, his CV is absolutely immense. I still feel proud that he's associated with this club, even if it falls flat; I still couldn't feel any ills towards him.

I really hope he does make this club even remotely competitive again, if not quite successful, but eventually we need to start reaping the rewards of having him here.

The ball is moved far too slowly, player movement off the ball is ponderous, and closing down is half-hearted at best. Every player receives the ball with his back to goal, no-one will, or seems able to, carry the ball forward at pace.

The players still don't seem fully fit or mobile. It's been going on for at least a decade and still hasn't been addressed.

The forwards' runs are almost non-existent.

It's so depressing to watch.

On the negative side our overall results and some performances haven't improved from Silva. A lack of cohesion, style, consistency and clean sheets are always a worry.

Thats despite DCL improved performances and goals not forgetting 3 new player's all an upgrade on what we had.

Positives being the ability to bring in quality players, playing generally a more attacking style of play to create and score goals.

That Carlo know the players limitations and until we improve the playing options we will remain inconsistent.

We are where we are because the players are not good enough.

We all know our weaknesses, so do the opposition. Sacking manager's hasn't changed much. We need to improve recruitment of first team ready players.

I agree we stick with Carlo despite not agreeing that another manager couldn't get more from individual players.

Carlo manages, others coach.

Posts 49 +50 very good.

Other teams blowing hot and cold well we make that an art form. Usually in one match. Hope the few fans make some sort of difference to the energy and the pressing (dirty word at Finch Farm).

There again, we have had easily the best support, especially away from home, for a long time... so, even when the bear pit is full, we somehow fall short. The likes of Chelsea don't like the high-energy 'in their face' tactics so, if Richarlison turns up, there's no problem.. is there!

It's disappointing but realistically we need better players. We're carrying passengers every game. From what I have seen so far, I think Carlo will deliver results, goals and good football when we get those better players.

I was surprised to see that Ancelotti's record so far at Everton (over 29 games according to Wiki) includes a 51.72% win record. Which is the highest percentage for any Everton manager serving more than 1 game since Kendall's first stint.

Perhaps that percentage will drop over the next month. I suspect so. But till now perhaps he has done a better job than I give him credit for.

I still feel that, to the eye, we look like a disaster waiting to happen. Teams seem to be able to pick through us so easily and it's no surprise that we've kept no clean sheets since Week 1. There have been individual mistakes, for sure, but also it just seems that the system (or the players? It's hard to tell) is leaving gaps all over the place.

On paper, it would look like the next three matches might yield a very poor return, but then our best performance of the season was against the league leaders from the capital. Though you might well say they were not up to speed that day, we still played with and energy and precision that has been lacking ever since. Perhaps we might see more of the same against some better teams where the onus will be on them to break us down rather than vice versa? I fear not, but hope springs eternal.

Jeez, it's easy this manager malarkey. Common sense, no over-thinking or tinkering, Carlo. Oh and get the 3 or 4 youngsters we all know about in the squad and really push for the sales of Sigurdsson, Gomes, Bolasie and Kenny etc. Do all that and watch the good times roll.

I've been pleasantly surprised by how he seems to have taken to the club but I'm still waiting for an effective system and identity to really emerge. The proof will be in the pudding, I suppose, so let's hope the Christmas pudding is tasty!

Ancelotti's CV speaks for itself, it's as good as it gets. But, as Sam says, the job at Everton is a lot different to the previous jobs he has had. Strip out the level of talent and then...

To make a success of the Everton job, firstly we need the players to be fitter, faster, physically stronger and more motivated than our opponents. This is what Moyes did over the years. His methods, training, team building and motivation were marginally ahead of many if not all of our opponents. Teams did not like playing us because of it.

Ancelotti is the best in the business at managing big-time ultra high-quality players but, at Everton, we need to be the absolute best at the base level qualities first for the likes of James Rodriguez to shine.

At the moment I would say there is massive room for improvement on the fitness, sharpness, reaction time, rapid pressing and improvement of physicality (some more than others). Get these base fundamentals better than our rivals and the quality will flourish.

As far as I am concerned, this has been the biggest blight on the club since Moyes left. Not many at all would want Moyes back (me included) but it's very hard to argue that he did very well with very limited resources at Everton for the reasons explained.

"His methods, training, team building and motivation were marginally ahead of many if not all of our opponents. Teams did not like playing us because of it."

Sorry, Tony, I must take issue with this: we were terribly slow starters under the Moyes regime. The lead in the legs was not expunged from destructive pre-season training till Xmas.

Fortunately, most clubs knew their destiny by then and we could pick up enough points from ensuing non-event games.

We had the Indian sign over Man City for years but everyone else thought of us as non-descript or easy pickings.

If teams are playing well, fitness isn't an issue. Our problem is, we are simply not playing well.

We might win the ball back more often, but what the feck are we going to do with it when we do? I could see the merits of dropping James to the bench but not to have him available at all is a big miss. Likely, we'll see a hit-and-hope type of display tomorrow and, if Sigurdsson, starts I'll tear what remains of my hair out.

Pickford
Coleman or Kenny, Keane, Mina*, Godfrey or Nkounkou
Doucouré Gomes Allan
Iwobi Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

*A bit concerned about Yerry getting done for pace tomorrow. If Holgate is up to speed, he could step in, or alternatively Godfrey at centre-back and Nkounkou at left-back.

James manages to create something every game, either for himself or others, so a miss on balance.

Hopefully not 3 at the back, and being outnumbered in midfield.

I'm beginning to wonder what planet Ancelotti is on. Tosun will be given another chance to show he can't score.

Bottom line is we have a few players injured and will have to adapt. Ancelotti is also not speaking his first language so you're going to hear things said in a way you and I might not as native speakers.

People get so hung up on players' and managers' comments – it's really not worth getting your knickers in any sort of twist about. It's the 90 minutes of painful football you want to worry about!

It's a shame but I'm predicting a back 4 of Holgate, Mina, Keane and Godfrey against Chelsea.

Nkounkou and Gordon must be really crap in training.

The truth is Ancelotti did a number on them. Obviously we won't have the same personnel from that game against Chelsea but, given one or two bad results against them, we've generally done quite well at home against them.

Tough? Yes. Winnable? Yes. It's about time Richarlison came to the party though – he's been out of sorts the last few games.

The only surprise I got when I read that was that somebody actually believed it.The sort of misleading nonsense which gives stattos a bad name.

Leaving aside victories over the mighty Salford and Fleetwood. Carlo has been in charge of 31 EPL games. He's won 12 which means he has failed to win 19.

To be honest, we'll probably learn more in defeat tomorrow than in a win – a win will just patch over the weaknesses in the squad. If a good pasting shows what we need in the next 2 windows is what it takes, then so be it.

On saying that UTFT – gerrintoem!!!

Agreed, though, that the bottom line is we need better players, and more of them.

Yes, he's improved; his positional sense seems to be that much better this season, he's involved in less panic-button situations and looks a fair bit more composed.

In any defence that includes Mina, his partner has to offset his own position to include what Mina is doing; maybe Keane has now adapted to this.

The good news is we now have Godfrey, this is going to be an absolute bargain at £20(ish)M; he can defend, he's mobile, agile and he reads the game well and also he has a taste for getting forward. I'm mighty pleased with this buy.

The quicker he can spend time with Keane in a stable defence, the better. Keane has some good attributes, but his pace and turning circle are not the better ones. With Godfrey next to him, I feel we'll be that more robust.

My devotion to the cause included visits to various Covid testing centres, none of which could guarantee a result within 30 hours. To achieve this, I was directed to Anfield, where I had to undergo a test in the kop bar.

I found the exercise rather less wholesome and acceptable than the bowel cancer screening test I undertook recently.

Peter #84, deepest condolences, but at least all the screenings came out right, and that's what matters.

The Fiver says we are suitors for Dele Alli and Harry Winks in January. Comments?

Playing players in positions they are used to would have made it much harder for the opposition to beat us and might have produced more favourable results and meant that confidence on the pitch wouldn't be as low as it is. Those players would be totally up to speed with the pace of matches, tactics and their jobs within the team ready for this long run of tough fixtures.

Very poor management.

I think we need a goalscoring MF player and a solid Defensive mid (Gana Springs to mind) and if the budget stretches to it cover at RB if JJK is not up to it.

BTW, great article on Ben Godfrey in The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/10/everton-ben-godfrey-i-started-a-mission-of-proving-people-wrong?utm_term=8907bc028660471da178fb8e34aba054&utm_campaign=TheFiver&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=fiver_email

"It is unbelievable to be able to learn from this manager. I am so appreciative of the opportunity. He has worked with some world-class players and, the experiences he’s had, I can soak everything up. And I have been doing. He gives you confidence. He’s quite laid-back and to be honest he simplifies things for you. He makes the game as easy as possible for you and I’m really enjoying learning from him. Believe me, everyone here is desperate to achieve something and we are working hard to do something we can all be proud of at this football club.”

Great article but Godfrey is no left back and I dread if he gets played there tomorrow.

Loads of good signings since Ancelotti joined.

Imagine how good the squad looks once they've brought in another 5 first-team ready players?

As we can't go out and spend on the Pogba's or a Kepa or Havertz or Morata or Alisson's of this world, with this in mind as we wait for our captain to return who costs a fraction of these players, and Holgate and DCL and other lower-priced players to get us through December with Ancelotti, let's hope our much lower costing squad gives Cheski a good game.