This season we have seen a adaptable Everton and when things weren't going so well, a willingness of Ancelotti be proactive in trying to change things and give players a range of experience to increase the depth of the squad, when under pressure. This was very necessary given the unavailability of players due to injury and bodes well for future squad depth and availability.

Of course Ancelotti does not always get it right. He was caught out by Moyes, who had better tactics on the day.

No manager is perfect, and even Carlo is going to be out-coached on occasion, as he was by Moyes -- but to me he is calm, consistent and wins most of his battles with the fellow on the other bench.

We are one of three clubs with ten wins in 17 games, a level of performance I never expected this season. And we have accomplished this with less talent and less depth than any of the teams around us, and several below us.

As I see it, Carlo's major failing so far has been an inability to establish the same consistency on the pitch that he exhibits himself. We tend to play down to the level of inferior clubs and better against the stronger ones. Only when we improve on that -- and our lack of depth -- will we be genuine Top 4 contenders in my view. But I remain absolutely delighted with how Carlo's first full season has gone thus far.

That area of lack of leadership to get control of the game, raising the play and dictate the pace is the main weaknesses, as you well observed. In the Wolves game there was that many Everton midfielders they had to communicate and take immediate command, which they don't always do in other formations.

Its a tract peculiar to Everton and those fans with years of experience can identify it. It has been the downfall of many past Managers and even Ancelotti looks bemused by it, when it happens to him.

There have been posts on the causes and how to remedy. I am at a loss on how to remedy it myself, other than needing better leaders on the pitch. I don't think this is Ancelottis solution. It will be interesting how Ancelotti sorts it out, as he probably is aware of the need to.

Mike #3,

It's a good point you make. Ancelotti is using a strong base with a set-up to play counter-attack football.

The better teams attack in numbers leaving more space for the counter. The lesser teams defend in numbers leaving no space for counter-attack.

As you say, the next step will be interesting. As the article says, I have faith in Carlo to work it out.

It's alright getting a one-goal victory but goal difference will also count at the end and ours isn't so good at the moment

We cannot sit back and defend a one-goal lead in every game – Carlo's Italian way – all the time. If these are to be our tactics, we need to be extra ruthless with those counter-attacks to improve the goal difference.

There aren't many captains like that around. I can only think of a few in the Premier League at the moment -- Ward-Prowse, Coady at Wolves, Henderson, both Fernandinho and De Bruyne at Man City. We haven't had one in a long time -- Seamus is passionate and exemplary but lacks the gravitas at this point.

I do feel a bit sorry for Anthony Gordon, though, who I feel might have deserved a bit more time on the pitch, as I certainly don't feel Bernard offers more defensively than Gordon, in fact the opposite from what I have seen.

As for Cenk Tosun, I would say that he might not have played against Wolves due to a 120-minute run-out against Rotherham and is probably not match fit. Having said that, he did all he could have been asked to do in the Cup; he is no Calvert-Lewin but I think he gets a raw deal from some people here. I would hope we don't get rid of him in January unless we are bringing in a replacement. In the summer, fine.

I agree with you and come down on your side, thinking a new signing is the answer. But I do think that Ancelotti will not want to be dependent on one player, but a blend within a midfield four, with an additional signing to do this. He may be even working on existing players.

Davies and James did get there to some extent, but though Sigurdsson got the positioning right in relation to Wolves, he failed to link up with the other midfielders. Gomes and Davies don't work well together, giving us a headless look. Doucouré and James are the most consistent, as is Allan.

But it still leaves problems with blending in of Davies, Gomes and Sigurdsson. They can be effective as subs. It will be interesting to see what Gbamin brings to the blend.

I don't think there will be any additions in January.

And particular thanks for pointing out the reason for selections. The solidity at the back and the protection in front have been what we've been able to rely on. Now it provides a tricky puzzle for opponents on how they can set up against us.

With other teams feeling the injury hex as well, we are in good position with what Carlo has been able to cobble together.