BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has delivered his latest set of Premier League predictions ahead of the Boxing Day fixtures, and has issued some strange advice to new Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of his bow against Burnley.
What did he say?
Well, the Toffees are due to welcome the Clarets to Goodison Park on Thursday in what will undoubtedly be a tough game given Sean Dyche’s men are never easy opposition.
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While Lawrenson believes that the hosts will run out 2-0 winners as a late Christmas present to the supporters, he also had some peculiar advice for the 60-year-old, who was confirmed as Marco Silva’s successor on Merseyside on Saturday.
He wrote: “It probably would not be a bad idea if Ancelotti gave Duncan Ferguson the last word in the dressing room before the team runs out.
“He would make sure they were fired up and knew exactly what was expected of them.”
Wrong from Lawrenson
Yes, we may have seen Ferguson get the team riled up and committed on the pitch during his caretaker spell in charge in recent weeks, but it doesn’t need to happen against Burnley.
Firstly, the players will already be well aware at what is at stake, and will know that this is a clean slate and their chance to impress the Italian and prove why they should be a regular fixture in his starting XIs moving forward.
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Secondly, this is a man who has an honours list that includes three Champions Leagues, as well as top flight titles in England, Germany, France and Italy.
With all due respect to Ferguson, he know what he is doing and he doesn’t need the Scot to have the ‘last word’ in the dressing room before the game – he’s got that covered.
In other Everton news, Toffees fans have called on their club to sign a Premier League attacking midfielder who scored his 5th goal of the season at the weekend…