Ancelotti: I am really proud of my team

Showing a bit of fight now, just need a couple more pieces to the jigsaw.

Now where have I heard that before?

I like that.

He's spot on with this. As much as it pains me to admit it, we're not at the same level as Man Utd or Man City. We can beat anyone on our day, but we don't have the quality to do it consistently. Or at least not yet...

Need to rest a few against Spurs as I think they will rest some too. Give Allan, Coleman and King some playing time, and maybe even Bernard too? We'll really want to have our best players fit and ready for the two games after that!

Lastly, I'm really glad we aren't still desperate to get to the 40 point safety mark any more and we can now get results against the so called big six. Makes games much less stressful, apart from non-performances like against the barcodes! Never dull though is it.

On top of that the recruiting between Carlo and Brands has been an resounding success, especially when look at what went on before. Doucoure and Godfrey are exceptional signings, Allan and James top class footballers who fully expect to compete toe to toe with any Sky6 club. Those two bring a better winning mentality and expectancy to the team.

The next steps are to iron out the glaring inconsistency, great wins followed by a Newcastle type performance.

Carlo needs to work his magic on Richarlison to coax him back to form, to achieve something special we need him playing his best.

The fact that Tom Davies and Gomes are both starting to find good form and Allan coming back means we have got strength in depth now. That will keep us strong until the end of the season whilst other teams may struggle.

It’s a beautiful thing that we are fighting for a top 4 spot and also fighting for the FA cup. It’s great that there is a bit of optimism and everything is up for grabs.

To be honest we are ahead of were I expected us to be given the squad he inherited.
I thought it would be two years before we would be competing for 4th.
Still only just past the halfway mark but the signs are good.

I just love this quote - "But it does't matter. I am proud of my team, honestly. I am really proud.” He's saying we, and he is just not here for the last big pay reward.

If us, West Ham or Leicester as splitting up the Sky 6 again then progress has been made.

I've been pleased with some of the results but also secretly relieved that I haven't had to drag myself up to Goodison this season to witness some of the turgid displays on offer. I'm hopeful that next season, with three or four additions, we'll catch fire and start looking like we can genuinely compete at the top four level.

In a strange season, with so many clubs under-performing, a top 6 finish would be a real achievement considering the way we've performed at times, but I'd be happy to save Europe for another year when we have a stronger squad.

“And I said to the players, play with more courage, with more intensity, with more belief and that's what they did in the second half.”

So it really was that simple? Huh. I and about 10 people on the Live Forum were saying the exact same thing. We weren't THAT bad, we just needed to play with more bravery and intent going forward.

Carlo's reaction is gold. He knows he's on the precipice of pulling off something monumental.

We're so close now I can taste it. I've never seen an Everton team finish above 5th. I'm beginning to believe this year we can break that glass ceiling.

Whilst Everton do need better players in some positions, they also need to have a "fight back and never say die" attitude. The underlying benefit is a team that believes in the ability of Ancelotti and is prepared to listen to him and improve their individual performances according to his coaching, putting in the work to do so.

It is hard to predict Everton's team selection now, such is the depth of fine-tuning options Ancelotti now has in the Everton squad. Something he was prepared to develop by giving players out of position playing time and probably extra coaching support. The next game he may select none of his attacking players, saying they need a rest. Now he also has the benefit of an attitude change and Mina shouting and rushing about for the first time in his life.