Club Ambassador Ian Snodin admits Everton have been handed a “tough encounter” against Tottenham Hotspur to kick off the 2020/21 Premier League season - but believes the Blues’ opening six games offer an opportunity to build a solid platform for the campaign.
Snodin also explained how he is looking forward to observing Carlo Ancelotti’s first full season in charge of Everton – declaring the Club “could not have a better manager”.
Everton’s fixture schedule was revealed on Thursday morning and the Toffees will begin the season by taking on Jose Mourinho’s Spurs in north London on the weekend of 12 September.
Newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion are scheduled to be the campaign’s first visitors to Goodison Park one week later, before the Blues return to the capital to take on Crystal Palace.
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A home clash with Brighton & Hove Albion is next and Ancelotti’s side will then face city rivals Liverpool at Goodison on 17 October.
The Blues tackle Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium one week later.
“There’s no getting away from it, Spurs away is a tough encounter for us at the beginning of the season,” Snodin told evertonfc.com.
“But while the fans aren’t there, I think that makes it an even playing field. I don’t think it matters so much whether you play home or away.
“It’s a fantastic stadium, with a fantastic surface. If we’re well-organised and fit – which I’m sure we will be under Carlo – we’ll be difficult to beat.
“Then you look at the other games coming up and, on paper, you would think we have a reasonable chance to pick up several points.
“West Brom will be buzzing, coming off the euphoria of making it back into the Premier League, but that’s a chance for us to get up and running with some points at Goodison.
“Palace is a difficult place to go and they’ve got some decent players, but I think we can go there and get a result.
“Brighton struggled at times last year but will come into the season with renewed energy, I’m sure, and then we’ve got the derby, which is always a special game.
“There is an opportunity there to get off to a good start.”
Three-times Champions League-winning manager Ancelotti joined Everton midway through the 2019/20 season and oversaw a steady upturn in results.
Snodin is confident the Blues will continue to progress under the Italian as he further implements his ideas and methods.
“We are a big club and we’ve got a big manager,” Snodin added.
“I believe in Ancelotti, I really do. His credentials are fantastic and his record is superb.
“The players have told me he is fantastic on the training ground and so approachable. I’m looking forward to seeing him take charge for his first full season.
“The fans have got so much adulation for him, too. There is a lot of expectation at this club and we want to be challenging the top sides.
“I don’t think there is anyone better for Everton Football Club than Carlo Ancelotti at this time.”
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The 2020/21 season will see Everton meet Snodin’s former club Leeds United in the top-flight for the first time in 16 years.
The sides last contested a Premier League match in February 2004, with Wayne Rooney netting in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
The Blues are scheduled to host Leeds at Goodison on 28 November, with the return game in west Yorkshire pencilled in for 2 February.
“The derby games against Liverpool are the ones I look out for first, that will always be the case,” Snodin said.
“But Leeds at home on 28 November will be another special occasion.
“They’re a big club, a greatly-supported club. I was only there for 18 months but I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
“I captained Leeds United and I had a great rapport with the fans before I moved on to Everton.
“Obviously we don’t know yet what the situation will be with fans [being allowed inside the stadium] but you know there would be such a loud and vibrant atmosphere at Goodison for games like that if we get to a point where it's possible.”
Snodin will again be on live radio commentary duty for evertonfc.com during the 2020/21 season.
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“I’m a former player, an Everton fan, and I do get passionate when we’re playing and I think that comes through on the commentary,’ he said.
“There’s nothing like it when we score a goal, and you can hear that in me and [co-commentator] Darren’s reactions!
“We’re lucky, of course, to be able to go to the matches, even if it’s not the same without fans.
“You miss them breathing down your neck and that euphoria of a goal at Goodison.
“But the commentary is something I enjoy a lot and I’m looking forward to getting started again next season.”
