Carlo Ancelotti: What difference has the Italian made since taking over at Everton?

This is a nice piece from the Beeb on how Carlo Ancelotti has gone about transforming our season.

This is a significant difference in the profile of Everton Football Club. Not worth a wink in the media over the past few years, there is now recognition for the club.

We have to thank Moshiri and Carlo. Moshiri for convincing him to come to Everton and Carlo for being Carlo!!

In between, we shouldn't forget Duncan and his effect emotionally at the time.

Onwards and upwards.

I posted this on "The Blues Win The Points" thread, but feel it more suited to this thread, but I also want to point out the final paragraph, and hope people realise the possible consequences of their actions:

The next four games: Arsenal (A), Man Utd (H), Chelsea (A), and Liverpool (H), are exactly the type of games Carlo thrives on. They are the type of games he looks forward to the most. The teams he would like to play against every week.

I remember last season when we had the four same teams in a row, albeit they were home games, yet we took 10 out of the 12 points. Arsenal and United are nowhere near the force they have been, although still dangerous sides, and we can beat them. Chelsea have been unpredictable at home recently, so a draw would be seen as a great result for us. The RS. well say no more We need to beat them bastards. So prepare yourselves for a pleasant surprise in the next four games: 10 points out of 12!!

Finally, talking about the RS game, I'm hearing rumours of Everton fans selling their tickets to RS fans for the derby match. Trust me, any RS fans in any other part of the stadium other than their own section, will be ejected and if it's a season ticket holder whose seat they are in, will have their season ticket taken off them. The less there is of them bastards in the stadium, the better, so please, think twice before you consider selling your ticket for the derby match.

Rob. Good point on the selling of tickets but I believe if a season ticket holder puts their ticket on StubHub and it is inadvertently bought by a gobshite (despite the warnings on the StubHub website), the season ticket holder is blameless.

However, who'd want to miss us ruining their perfect season?

Bob, you're right the media are casting their eyes in our direction snd giving us some respect. So it's important we don't blow it (again) and we give Carlo the support he needs over the summer. With the Euros being held this summer, it will be a difficult window. Players won't move until after the tournament is over.

In my opinion, the change from Silva to Ancelotti looks to be pretty simple. He has them trying to win games of football without the restrictions of trying to score only via a certain method.

Under Silva, we played a certain way which, if teams sussed us out, we didn't have a Plan B. Defending was robotic at times. Silva tried to micro-manage every pass and movement.

I also think that Silva had us playing great stuff towards the end of last season but the loss of Zouma and Gueye, coupled with the injury to Gbamin, was his downfall.

The reputation of Ancelotti has lifted certain players. We don't look to have a set way of playing but, with the 2 up top, we are a real threat.

Having Ferguson next to him is a master-stroke, whereas Silva didn't seem to want that passion from Big Dunc.

The man can only do so much. We all know our midfield is weak so hopefully that's an area he can target in the summer. A good engine room will protect the defence more and help the attackers. We have to back him in the summer.

Rob H, I had a similar thought after the game yesterday, so I am glad I am not the only optimist. :) As for the RS, I can't shake the feeling we are going to upset their party.

Klippety Klopp will be up for it and will be just itching to run on our pitch to celebrate, so let's twat them.

If we take 6 points from the next three games (forget the derby for now) then we have a great chance to give ourselves European football.

A win at Arsenal and people would actually start mentioning the Champions League but I think that's possibly a bridge too far.

The objective is just win as many games as possible and see where it takes us, it's wins not draws that get you at the business end of the table.

We have weaknesses in defensive areas, stemming from a very uncertain erratic goalkeeper that makes too many decision blunders so that area of the pitch would be my most concerning going in to the tougher group of matches.

But let's see how we get on, it's a huge batch of games coming up that will certainly shape of season.

Ancelotti has brought positivity that about the best way I'd sum him up since he's been here.

Yes, the man has charisma, and has really with the assistance of Duncan and his own team transformed us. Okay maybe that's being a bit too optimistic, but the mentality has definitely improved, and we are even winning ugly.

Someone mentioned on another thread, that we may rue the ridiculous results early in the season, in terms of our eventual finishing position. While I agree that some of the results were extremely disappointing losing to Villa, Norwich, Burnley, Brighton etc.

The fact is that IF we had won those games, we wouldn't have sacked Silva, we wouldn't have Carlo Ancelotti and Duncan as his second. We are still a work in progress to a degree, but at least we can eventually see we are going in the right direction, and even below par performances are yielding results.

What he brings, apart from nous, is calmness. He's not going to be blown off course.

When he arrived, I assumed he'd been promised a big war chest but that doesn't seem to be so. I think he's very well suited to us. Those initial strolls through the city, meeting fans, relaxed and sure of himself.

That's the main thing: he's sure of himself. By degrees, I expect the club and team to show the same class and confidence.

He's got Old Evertonian grace. No need for gurning and chest-thumping.

We have (of course) 36 pts right now, with 12 to go. You decide how we'll finish up.

Arsenal (A)
United (H)
Chelsea (A)
Liverpool (H)
Norwich (A)
Leicester (H)
Spurs (A)
Southampton (H)
Wolves (A)
Villa (H)
SHU (A)
Bournemouth (H)

At current table position & pace, Chelsea (4th) is on track for 62 pts, Spurs (5th) are on track for 56 pts, SHU (6th) is on track for 55 pts, United & Wolves (8th/9th) are on track for 53 pts. We're on pace for 53 pts. Of course this doesn't take into consideration remaining strength-of-schedule, but still.

Beat the RS and I may - I said may - forgive this lot for losing to their kids in the FA Cup. I won't forget it though and neither should they. So send them back across Stanley Park with their Nivea smooth tails between their legs. Funny how Klopp has time to make commercials but not for the FA Cup - classless sod. Good point about selling tickets to RS supporters - DON'T DO IT.

Well that an interesting fixture list.

It's harder on paper than it is in playing because a look at Arsenal (six wins all season) and United (recently turned over by Burnley and Watford) will tell you they are both very winnable.

Chelsea are hot and cold and defensively weak, again they are a team that has been beaten at home by Bournemouth and West Ham.

We can get six points from those there if we are brave enough.

Bravery is the key word isn't it?

We haven't won at Arsenal or Chelsea since the mid 1990's which is just mental, but they are both there to be taken this season.

Have we got the bottle to go to Arsenal and accept we are above them and probably should make ourselves favourites to win that game?

For me these next three games will tell us a lot more about where we are as a team mentally more than anything else.

I'm intrigued to see how it unfolds.

Jim @13, it's difficult I know to speculate or to predict scores in a certain match especially when it's a couple of weeks or more down the line. But, as you say there are many winnable games on the list.

However winning them is another matter, if, and only if we continue as we have been doing, apart from the FA Derby, Newcastle (H) and a couple of poor draws, it is achievable.

Personally I hope we qualify, even if it's Europa League, as we will be a more attractive proposition, to any potential targets.