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Post by evertonfan1968 on Apr 30, 2021 18:34:09 GMT
Why isn't the other game arranged yet?
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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 30, 2021 18:46:55 GMT
Why isn't the other game arranged yet? It is now 13/05 @8pm
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Post by Everton News. on May 1, 2021 16:10:49 GMT
ANCELOTTI: 'EVERTON HAVE CLASS... WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH OUR FANS'
This match is a perfect example of why competition is the lifeblood of football.
We are eighth but the possibility for Europe is there and the intention is to fight until the last day.
Without this incentive, the game wouldn’t be so important and, in that situation, it is tough to have the same intensity and concentration.
In the Premier League, every opponent is difficult, all the teams have different qualities and the ambition to win matches.
If there is no chance to achieve something more than survival, the motivation would be low and the competitive element would suffer.
This is why the 12 clubs wanting a European Super League made a bad mistake.
It is unacceptable to have a competition with no sporting merit and this idea could only happen when there is no consultation with the managers and players and supporters.
But the biggest aspect is the supporters.
Football belongs to the people and without them, we would not be here.
We have the best sport in the world, in my opinion, because of the fans’ passion and sense of belonging with their clubs.
At Everton, you can feel the emotion and love of the supporters, how they are really close to the team and the Club.
Everton is a club with class, I think, and the Owner and Chairman and Board listen to the voice of the fans.
For this season, the objective is still clear.
If we can reach Europe, it will be an important step towards our long-term goals.
The win at Arsenal last week kept us in a strong position.
We were a little bit unfortunate in some of the previous games – I thought we deserved to beat Tottenham Hotspur – but, I can say, the luck was with us at Arsenal.
The VAR helped us when it was 0-0 and for our goal their keeper had a bad moment.
Otherwise, it was a match in balance for 90 minutes and the performance was quite good, more defensively, where we were solid and had pace to fix the fast players Arsenal have in front.
Against Tottenham two weeks ago it was an improvement from the other games at Goodison in 2021.
We created enough opportunities to comfortably win and put energy and spirit and focus on the pitch.
James Rodriguez showed why we wanted him 100-per-cent fit for the final matches. Creatively, he is on a different level and every time he plays his influence is really big.
With fewer mistakes in our own box, we would have taken all the points.
Since I last wrote, Marcel Brands signed a contract to stay for three more years as our Director of Football.
This is positive for the stability of the Club. Marcel is a really good guy, a top professional and excellent in his work.
Our relationship is strong and I am happy this will continue.
We welcome Dean Smith and the staff and players of Aston Villa.
This is the first of two matches in a short time against Aston Villa and our ambition has to be six points.
Because of our position, near the top with a small gap to close, the only way is to keep going for wins.
We can say we want to win while still having respect for the opponents, because they are a really dangerous side.
It was difficult for Villa when they came back into the Premier League last season but they managed that situation and the improvement this year is clear.
They had some fantastic results and, like us, did their best work away, winning at some difficult grounds.
I know the run recently hasn’t been as good but every team experienced this – apart from one, and they are going to win the title by a long way.
To have Evertonians inside Goodison for this match – a key fixture on a Saturday night – the atmosphere would have been really special.
Honestly, when we can have fans back it will help us more than is possible for any new signing.
It feels like we are slowly coming back to normality and if we all pay attention to the rules, more restrictions will be removed soon.
In other parts of the world, COVID remains a huge challenge and the thoughts and best wishes of us all at Everton are with everybody affected by this awful virus. Enjoy the game,
Carlo.
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Post by Avinalaff on May 1, 2021 16:18:30 GMT
Why isn't the other game arranged yet? It is now 13/05 @8pm 4 games in the space of 10 days is a joke.
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Post by Everton News. on May 1, 2021 16:34:37 GMT
MANAGER ANCELOTTI CALLING FOR 'AMBITIOUS' EVERTON
Carlo Ancelotti is demanding Everton channel the motivation and mental uplift gained from beating Arsenal into a compelling fight for European football.
Everton will target successive victories when Aston Villa visit Goodison Park on Saturday after the win in London last week ended a six-match wait for three points.
Manager Ancelotti enters the season’s final month armed with his strongest hand for a long while, with only midfielders Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jean-Philippe Gbamin unavailable.
The Italian, then, wants his team to play with “more ambition” in a bid to cure home ills – although not at a cost to defensive solidity.
Ancelotti, who unequivocally backed this weekend’s sporting social media boycott, added that contract talks with players including Seamus Coleman and James Rodriguez are in the offing – but won’t distract from the objective of European qualification.
“We are still in the fight and that is really good for us,” said Ancelotti.
“We have good momentum and all the players available.
“The victory against Arsenal was really important… we didn’t have good results in the previous few games, so to win was important for our mentality and motivation.
“When we want to play more attacking football [at home] we need balance, to avoid counter-attacks and opportunities for the opposition team.
“[We need to play with] more ambition, totally agreed, and more focus on the balance of the team.
“We have to be strong and focused and do our best.
“Every game is vital for everyone.”
Everton have competed in European competition in only two of the past 10 seasons.
Ancelotti, then, understandably maintains qualification will count as meaningful progress for the Club.
He is certain, nonetheless, that the outcome of this campaign won’t have any bearing on plans for shaping Everton into a team capable of competing at the sharp end of domestic and European football.
“It is a club that has a clear project,” said Ancelotti.
“In this clear project you need to invest because you want to improve.
“We are going to talk in the next few weeks to try to improve the squad and be better next season.
"This is the idea of everyone in the Club.
“I don’t know how we are going to finish this season but, until now, we have improved a lot.
“We have a better position and more knowledge and are more competitive than last season.
"We can step up quickly if we have a position in Europe for next season.
“But also, we can step up and put in place a good programme for next season [without qualification].”
Ancelotti, speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference on Friday, was strong on the significance of this weekend’s social media shutdown.
Every Premier League and Football League club, in addition to governing bodies the FA and UEFA and clubs and individuals from a range of sports, are stepping off the platforms between 3pm on Friday and 11.59pm on Monday.
The united stand is designed to help combat the spread of online discrimination and abuse.
“I think it is an important campaign,” said Ancelotti.
“We have two big problems; one is racism, the other is online abuse.
“If you look at social media, you can find abuse and insults everywhere.
“Most of the people are covered by an anonymous name.
“This is not tolerable.
“You cannot have anonymous people who can talk and insult you.
“We would like the social media companies to take strong action to try to cut this problem.”
Everton full-back Coleman’s current Everton contract expires at the end of 2021/22.
James, meanwhile, has one more year, in addition to a one-year option in Everton’s favour, on the deal he signed when joining from Real Madrid on the eve of this season.
“Our technical director, Marcel Brands, is involved in this and is going to talk directly with the players in the next few weeks," added Ancelotti.
“Seamus Coleman is the perfect example of how a player has to be… focused in training, doesn’t complain when he’s not playing, always focused on the performance of the team and the behaviour of his teammates.
“He is a perfect example of how to be a captain, first, and second, a player.”
Everton FC
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