Keane: I see Lotti light now
A YEAR ago, Michael Keane revealed how dark mental health issues had made him feel a failure.
Now the Everton defender is looking like the £25million centreback he is – thanks to Carlo Ancelotti.
Keane, 28, has his sights fixed on qualifying for the Champions League after Ancelotti made the Blues the pride of Merseyside by bringing his experience to Goodison from Naples.
He said: “I feel really good. I feel I’ve done well pretty much all season.
“I think I’ve been consistent and in a good place.
“Good results build confidence and build momentum and just being part of a team that’s doing well and chasing something is exciting.
“The manager has instilled a lot of confidence in me.
“He’s always talking to me, going through clips with Davide Ancelotti, his son and assistant.
“I feel I am getting better and stronger each week. But the main thing is that I am really enjoying my football – and long may it continue.”
Everton face top-four rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening after following up their first win at Anfield since 1999 with victories over Southampton and West Brom.
When Keane came out of lockdown last April he revealed how a foot injury and the subsequent sacking of boss Ronald Koeman had left him in a gloomy place mentally.
His state of mind now could not be more positive.
Keane added: “We believe we’ve got a chance of pushing for the top four.
“We’re in and around it at the minute and there’s no reason why we can’t stay there.
“But the main aim is just to get into Europe – and that isn’t going to be easy. We have just got to be on it for the last 12 games.
“It’s very tight and things can change so quickly because it’s so close. There’s still a lot of football to be played and a lot can happen before the end of the season.”
A NORTHERN RAIL warning says all services between Lime Street and Walton are suspended until further notice due to a points failure at Anfield.
But temporary engineers are hoping to have the problem solved by 2pm today (Liverpool v Fulham, Sky Sports Main Event).
Should there be no change, however, just take the replacement service from Manchester departing at 4.30pm.
But be warned.
There have been some complaints made from Trafford Park station about the noise emanating from neighbouring M11 3FF and those loud disturbances
WATFORD
4 ........ Shots on Target ........ 0 5 ........ Shots off Target ......... 6 7 ................ Corners ................. 8 16 ................. Fouls .................... 8 1 ................ Offsides ................. 4 80.7 .Passing Success %...74.3 457 ....... Total Passes ........ 327 57.4 ..... Possession % ..... 42.6 51.7...Territorial Adv %..48.3
NOTT’M FOREST