‘We needed help’ – Ancelotti hopeful returning Everton fans can have a big impact
Carlo Ancelotti believes that his Everton side would be higher up the Premier League table this season had fans been allowed back into grounds sooner.
For the first time this season, Everton will have supporters inside Goodison Park for the game against Chelsea and Ancelotti has been telling the Liverpool Echo about the difference they could have made.
He said: “In general, it is really good news and, personally, I am really pleased our supporters are here, they are back.
“It is only 2,000 but in the last period when our performances were not so good, we needed help. Above all at home against United and Leeds and we could have more points on the table with our supporters.”
The recent return of supporters to stadiums has largely been well received and makes for a significant improvement on the games being played behind closed doors.
Everton are ninth in the Premier League as things stand after 11 games, with 17 points to their name.
Having fans back in the grounds has come at a good time for the Toffees, who have won just once in their last five.
Goodison Park has certainly been affected
There is no denying that some clubs, in some stadiums would have felt the knock-on effects of having no fans present during games more than others.
Goodison Park is certainly one of those grounds. The stands are low, it is both intimate and intimidating at the same time.
It could go some way to explaining Everton’s inconsistent form this season, the Toffees have not won back-to-back Premier League games since the start of October.
For clubs visiting Goodison Park, it can often be a very tricky away game and that threat was neutralised with no fans in the stands during the early stages of the campaign.
The idea of games without fans has become somewhat normalised as a result of how much football has been played in recent months, but the proof will now be in the pudding for Everton.
Ancelotti’s men have a difficult end to 2020, with games against Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester City to come.
In other Everton news, Letting Bernard leave Everton in January is a risk Ancelotti may want to take