Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has pointed out a couple of worrying trends that could affect his team’s chances of finishing in the top four.
Toffee has enjoyed a strong season and is seventh in the rankings. They have 40 points and are five behind fourth-ranked West Ham United, with two games in hand against the Hammers.
But there is a feeling that things could have been even better. The manager is concerned about his form against the lower half of the Premier League.
Have assured most points against ‘Big Six’ teams of what they have against those who started on weekend 15 or so. The Merseysiders are 14 of eight games against the top six and 13 of eight when facing the lesser lights.
Starting with Monday’s visit to Southampton, they have a career that includes matches against West Brom, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brighton. The only team from the top half to play in that period is Chelsea.
March and early April will have a great influence on your Champions League dreams. And the Italian has revealed his concerns.
“If I have to say what happened so far I have to say that I have to be worried because we are going to play against the teams below where we had more problems,” he said. Ancelotti.
“We have to be able to solve these kinds of problems. I am convinced that it is a really competitive league, a really difficult league.
The former Real Madrid manager praised the results of English teams in Europe, but believes there is strength throughout the league.
“You also have to take into account that the teams below are also doing well,” he added. “Playing against Fulham, playing against Burnley, is not easy and playing against Southampton is not easy.”
No home comforts
Another disappointing aspect of the campaign has been Everton’s form at home. They have won just four of the 12 games at Goodison Park, taking one point from the last 15 available.
That is also something that will have to change for the first four to become a reality. And the 61-year-old has his own theories about what they should do.
“My opinion is that outside we are more focused on defense, we make fewer mistakes,” he continued. “Winning away is very important, so you are more focused on defense, you avoid problems. At home, we may be thinking that the game is easier and we cannot maintain the concentration that we have.
“Defensively we have to be more focused when we are at home because at least if you can keep the game 0-0 the games we lost against Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham and Leeds we would have four more points and four more points would go up a lot.
“If we want to fight for the European position, we have to improve our home run at Goodison.”
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