Chief Football Writer of the Sunday Times Jonathan Northcroft joined the Sunday Supplement podcast to discuss Everton's big change under Carlo Ancelotti in 2019/20.

Indeed, Ancelotti has been in charge of the Toffees for only ten games so far in the ongoing campaign but the changes in their style and success are already palpable. And sure, they are still languishing down in 11th place in the table and the recent disappointing 3-2 loss to Arsenal is a disappointment but there is a sense of optimism at Goodison Park at the moment.

Northcroft even believes that Ancelotti has successfully regained Everton's old-fashioned defiance and their ability to win big and important games, which was one of Marco Silva's flaws as he made the team soft. He said so when speaking on the Sunday Supplement podcast (23/02/2020): "He also brought hat sort of old-fashioned Everton kind of defiance that had been lacking under Silva. They've grown soft under Silva and they've got the ability now to hang in and win tough games. That's really impressive."

Despite the loss to the Gunners, Northcroft does have a point. Everton have won five games, drawing two and losing three ever since the Italian has taken Silva's spot in the dugout. Indeed, even though it hasn't been all plain sailing for the Blues, their fighting spirit was evident throughout with the narrow 2-1 loss to Manchester City or the incredible 3-2 comeback vs Watford prime examples.

Everton fans, do you agree with Northcroft or do you still think Ancelotti has a lot of work to do at Goodison Park? Let us know in the comments below!