Lucas Digne says Carlo Ancelotti is “a winner” and the perfect man to oversee Everton’s ambitious long-term plan.

Manager Ancelotti signed a four-and-a-half-year deal when he was appointed at Goodison Park back in December.

The Italian has enjoyed a productive start to his reign, claiming 14 points from seven games, a return left-back Digne believes is down to his team’s improved focus in matches.

Everton’s latest success came in dramatic circumstances at Watford last week, when Theo Walcott struck in the final minute to complete a turnaround from two goals down.

Frenchman Digne’s appearance in that match was his 24th in the Premier League this term – the most of any outfield Everton player.

He is poised for outing number 25 against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday, when victory for Ancelotti’s side would see them jump two positions to seventh in the Premier League table.

“I think if a coach like Carlo comes to Everton, you can see the project is on the road, with everything he starts to build,” said Digne.

“We have the big coach and I think we are building something.

 
“We need time and you don’t change everything in just a clap, you have to take time and be a little bit patient, but in a good way.

“Carlo gives you his experience. He is calm, he has won a lot of trophies, he is a winner and when you have a coach like this, you are thinking ‘Okay, he is the boss’.

“He has won three Champions Leagues. You have to drink in his world, I don’t know if it is an expression in English but in France we say that – and it is important.

“He is very cool and very calm. He is close to the players and he wants to speak with everybody, to have a closer relationship with everybody. He is really important.”

Everton will target a sixth straight home game without defeat when Roy Hodgson’s Palace visit this weekend.

The Blues launched their unbeaten Goodison run when caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson masterminded a 3-1 blitzing of Chelsea.

Ferguson took charge of a scoreless draw against Arsenal before Ancelotti picked up the baton with wins over Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion.

A late Newcastle fightback last time at Goodison denied Everton a third win on the spin in L4.

But Everton staged a recovery of their own last week to stun Watford.

“I can’t explain [the late drama in successive matches] because the game before it was us who were winning 2-0 and we drew 2-2 against Newcastle in the last minute… we had the perfect win against Watford, having been 2-0 down and winning 3-2 away from home, it was the perfect feeling.

“Crystal Palace next will be a tough game, they are not in a good moment but they have some top players and we have to take care to do all the right things we usually do.

“We want to start the game very strongly and stamp down our authority when we are at Goodison because we know the fans are with us.

“If we start the game well it is easier to play afterwards.

“Goodison is amazing, it is our fortress. You feel stronger in Goodison because everybody is behind you, you can feel the wind at your back.

“It is totally crazy because everybody is closer and I think for an away team it is really hard to win there.”

Everton have collected 19 points from 10 matches stretching back to Ferguson’s caretaker tenure. Their only loss came on New Year’s Day at Manchester City, while they have won on the road against Newcastle and Watford and come home from West Ham United with one point.

Ancelotti’s side has a fortnight’s recuperation following the Palace encounter. They will return to a formidable schedule, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool constituting Everton’s four opponents after the winter break.

The Blues could be boosted in that period by the return of Andre Gomes, who is making rapid strides in his recovery from the serious leg injury he sustained three months ago.

“Everybody feels very good, we are working very hard and in the past 10 games we have played very, very well,” said  Digne.

“We have had results against big teams and feel more confident.

“We are looking to move towards the top of the league and I think we have to do that.

“We are more consistent in the games and during the full game we are more focussed. Before we could play 45 minutes very well and in the other 45 minutes, we were not so good.

“But now we have changed, we are playing more 75 and 80 minutes and we want to keep improving.”

On Portuguese midfielder Gomes, Digne added: “In a nice way, he is a beast, you should see his running record.

“When you train with him it feels like normal because he doesn’t have problems. He is just amazing with how he has managed to recover so fast.”