Barry leads the charge to consolidate 2nd place

I just hope he's learned a lesson and up's his game to the level we know he should be at, and not just strolling around hoping his team mates will do the business.

However no doubt he'll play a blinder and I'll be eating my words... Hopefully.

Feel sorry for Deulofeu. Did well when he came on last week and gets no recognition for it.

Ross had one bad half, much like Mirallas and Lukaku. I don't actually think Deulofeu did enough to win a starting berth anyway.

I'm still fearing the worst for Barkley's career... but let's not throw the towel in just yet.

Pivotal game this, we need to learn how to come back from behind and make this place a fortress again.

Get in there, Barry!

Next week, Man City to slip up and we'll be top of the league. Happy days.

Gana is superb again.

Craig @18 – Barkley is much better – just like him to win a few more of his challenges... been good on the ball though.

Mirallas to be hooked.

Deulofeu – love that haircut – I'm jealous!

This looks like it will be the best Everton side, in a long time. We just need to surpass 70 points to prove that.

It's like playing with 12 players every week.

No match is an automatic three points obviously, which makes these wins against WBA, Sunderland, Boro and Stoke so valuable. What is great is hearing a player like Barry saying after the match that our expectations should be high and why shouldn't we go after the league. Loving this.

After two seasons of utter shite, I think Koeman has got our players believing in themselves again. We had a good core squad already and he's added quality where needed. We'll be knocking on the door of the Champions League places for certain this season.

Nice also to see Coleman getting back to his best. Let's hope Lukaku's knock wasn't anything serious.

The reason given by Lineker for the Arsenal game on before us – there were controversial decisions in the Gunners match, and our match was shown on live TV.

Now maybe I'm missing something but we had a bit of a controversial decision for their goal and wasn't the Gunners Hull match shown on Sky Sports????

The way we started the 2nd half, we looked intent on racking up more goals, but in the end just strolled through to the final whislte.

If we can play well for just 20 minutes every game, establish a 3-1 half time lead and comfortably see out the 2nd half without anxiety for the remainder of the season, I think I'd settle for that.

Sound management by RK to retain Ross. He had a good game.

We now have really top class players now but I'm not sure what bad injuries to Gana, Barry or Lukaku would do to us. I really think we are much the poorer when Lukaku isn't in the team.

For those slating Lukaku as lazy, his moving out of the 18 taking his defender with him (why the defender went that far is beyond me?) opened up the space for Coleman to run into. Pretty good finish too by Coleman. No more arguments about him being brought back into the squad for Holgate I hope.

One good example from the commentator today was that Mirallas has lost 13lb over the summer; during training, Koeman attached a 13lb weight to him and made him realise how difficult it must have been for him carrying that extra lard.

So I have high hopes for a successful season, thanks to our management team and their 'Catterick' style ruthlessness – I can't see the players getting away with mediocre performances any more, so it's onwards and upwards, and let's win that elusive first League Cup.

I did not think Barkley would start but he had a very good game; a goal from him would have topped his performance. Bolasie did well first half but disappeared in the second half.

We are still short of another class forward, especially if Lukaku gets injured; Valencia is never going to win balls in the air, is he?

One player who will be none too pleased at the moment with not being first pick will be Funes Mori.

Great we are doing well but we are getting an easy passage at the moment; when we play the money clubs will tell us how good we are.

There's a lot of goals out there tonight and we could be placed anywhere depending on your angle but my understanding was order goes on League Position, Number of Goals and talking points – in which case we probably should be on 2nd. Let's face it, if it was Liverpool they'd be right up there.

Great performance today – only criticism is we should've made it 6 or 7 which would've (I hope) put us on MotD first. Still, yet to really play the Big Boys

Gareth Barry – what a pro – congratulations!

Idrissa Gana Gueye – if he continues this form, he is a pure diamond – what a cracking footballer.

And Ronald Koeman – lessons on how to shape a football team. We could have a real class act on our hands here.

Super, super stuff.

Apart from their goal, which was a bit dubious. I thought the ref played it quite well.

Interestingly the TV half-time re-run showed Andy Gray's Wembley goal and honestly there was nothing to chose between them. Anyway, 3 more points and 2nd place and it's looking good so far.

COYB

Ronald has really got them thinking they should be ambitious and worthy of the upper echelons. Obviously we expected to beat Boro but the main thing is we did it rather than look back with a "should've beat them" afterwards. We should do the same at Bournemouth next weekend and really start to cement our credentials.

Once again, Gueye proved that you can cost pittance and come from a shite relegated team but be the standout player. I hope the naysayers are (no doubt happily) eating their humble pie.

I'm loving it!

All those "marquee" non-signings that turned their noses up at EFC recently will be begging to join us next summer!!

COYB.

However, there were some super performances, particularly from Gueye, and Barry and Seamus. Barkley also had a good game which is to his credit given all of the talk about him.

2nd in the league!

It's a great feeling being 2nd. Only going to get stronger with Koeman in charge. Well happy that Ross looked good today after being taken off on Monday night. Coyb

Didn't see our game and I reckon we're not an option on Match Choice (?) so MotD will have to do.

Koeman's interview after the game; I could listen to his honesty all night.

We won so I'll excuse the ref for not getting it right. I can't excuse the tossers commentating who watched it several times and still suggested that it should stand. Ridiculous.

Don't start that lark. I hate this "easy start, hard finish" shite. Did we not have enough of that last season? They are all hard games.

This has always been a decent squad of players. Koeman has added the Viagra.

Jim

Give it a rest lad, nobody is slating Lukaku.

Eugene

Nothing deluded about it, they will finish 3rd... not far behind us.

Negredo didn't touch the ball. He headed Stek. It was a foul.

Surely you'll admit we'll have tougher games away to Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal than we've had already?

Barkley while showing some improvement from the previous game still spent too much time on the deck, while Bolasie wasn't as influential as he usually is. My MotM was Seamus closely followed by Gueye and Barry while our defence coped well with any opposition threat. All-in-all a fairly satisfactory result but we must show more of a 'killer' instinct if we are to continue a so far excellent start to the new campaign.

If you would have offered me 2 months ago, second in the table after 5 matches with a +7 GD, I would have bitten your hand off and cauterized the wound myself.

We still have some opportunities out there. Our finishing has to be more clinical – bodies need to fly if that is what it takes. I think Lukaku is still making his way this season – he may be a month away.

Acquiring a "fit" Striker must happen in January. Koeman is correct in his assessment – Champions League is not realistic. Our spirit, fight and stamina is leagues better than last season but do we have the assassins to finish the job? Valencia is not ready and Kone's knees are shot. For example, Mirallas, Lukaku and Barkley were in the box at one point, almost running rampant and barely marked but they couldn't tap it in. I have seen this for a few seasons now. Is it bad luck or lack of killer instinct? I understand the ball does its awkward pinball act at times but methodical finishers gobble those up.

I know that may sound a bit negative after our glorious start to the season but we need to be prepared for success. This team is important to my mental and emotional health so I need them to keep winning...

I'm happier with the response after the Boro goal more than I am about the win. We are going to be tough to beat this season. We are organized and relentless in the back. It's almost very old school back there – physical and no nonsense. Stekelenburg probably can't believe his good fortune right now to be behind them.

Did I mention that Gana is my love child?

You can only beat what's in front of you and we are doing that.

Its our consistency which counts, I don't care about anybody else's.

I can't get too worked up about MotD, and things will no doubt change on that front anyway if we keep this up.

Stekelenburg 5 – should have been stronger for their goal

Baines 6 – quiet enough game

Williams 6 – steady

Jagielka 6 – solid game

Coleman 7 – got forward and took his goal really well

Bolaise 6.5 – quieter game than the Sunderland one but caused a few problems

Barry 8.5 – well taken goal and great all round play

Gana 9 – exceptional display, covered every blade of grass on the pitch

Barkley 7.5 – good attacking play from Ross, looked a lot more assured

Mirallas 6 – worked hard for the team

Lukaku 7 – claimed the goal his performance deserved.

The team and manager are doing everything that could be asked of them at the moment. There's a difference between something being 'easy' and making something look easy by putting in hard graft and basic prep beforehand. No team in this league is simply there waiting to be rolled over. People at the club are currently putting in the work and getting the rewards.

Results against so-called lesser teams are equally capable of telling you how good or bad you are. Last two seasons the results against those sort of teams, teams we should be 'expected' to beat, told us we were fucking shite.

Koeman is absolutely transforming that set of players into a team that can meet their potential.

The next two games are very winnable and, with Koeman in charge, I am so much more confident that we will do so.

What a transformation from last season's car crash.

Gana and Barry taking it in turns for MotM awards, with the other being a close runner up.

Few idiotic comments at start of thread slating Koeman for keeping faith with Barkley. He has spoken and worked with him since hauling him off at Sunderland. How would he see how Ross reacted if he'd stuck him on the bench? He wanted to see if he is intelligent enough to take advice on board, and he got his answer.

Also, Ross wasn't the only one playing shit in 1st half at Sunderland. The team underperformed, and Mirallas was equally as bad, in my opinion.

Anyway, the team looks quality at the minute, and the new signings have been outstanding, happy man!

It's still probably likely though that the games I've listed will be tougher than the likes of what we've encountered so far.

It's not a big deal for people to say it, I'm just not sure why it bothers you.

It looks like he CAN learn and today is hopefully the beginning of his transformation. He did well after what must have been a difficult week for him.

Important, clinical equaliser and did what he does best. Congrats Gaz, hope there are many more great days for you at Everton.

Gueye was outstanding again, Barkley looked on it and Mirallas is now due an obligatory goal as his record shows so well worth sticking with.

COYB, really feeling good about the club right now, especially if we continue the great community work that has been going on for years.

Much improved, Ross, we all love you. Well done.

I don't believe this 'easy fixtures' stuff. We're beating what's in front of us and getting some consistency and momentum.

The real test will be when injuries and suspensions kick in. A case in point today when Lukaku went off. He didn't have a particularly good game, but we don't seem as effective without him there.

That league table looks good!

Koeman was raving about how brilliantly the team played in closing the game down in the second half in such a controlled manner. I wanted blood and thunder and 3 more goals but he is right and we're wrong; we were superb in the second half.

It seems with a fully fit and firing Rom, he just has to choose the best attacking trio to beat what's in front him!!!

Big Ron, please keep shuffling that attacking threat we carry; we haven't even hit form yet – we will be lethal if and when we do.

Gana was MotM again with Barry, Coleman and Baines not far behind. The team as a whole are improving each game but, as most on here appreciate, there are many better teams to face.

Barry was outstanding. Gana was just immense. But I have to say 'What a manager!' – most coaches probably would have kept Holgate in the starting eleven and made Coleman fight for his place, given that Holgate was playing well. But the reward for his astuteness was a sublime solo goal, right out of the Lionel Messi scrapbook!

Can't believe we have our Saturday nights back. Wishing all ToffeWebbers and Evertonians a very happy Saturday Night!

We are obviously vulnerable if Lukaku gets injured but this was another very pleasing display. Great to see Coleman firing again and Barry continues to be excellent, but I think Gueye is quite remarkable; his timing and anticipation are like few I've ever seen.

That is an idea of how potent Everton are now. We were absolutely magnificent today in a game we would have lost with last year's mentality. Roll on, Man City, even if it is only to see how good we really are.

He's like a pesky wasp buzzing and harassing opposition incessantly and is JUST what we need, and have needed, for years. This could seriously be the best signing in a generation. Such a great support to Gareth Barry, and brings the best out of all of those around him.

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

I don't particularly care if we don't tonk sides like Sunderland 8-0. I'd rather the team kept their energy levels up and do enough to win comfortably like we did today. As soon as we equalised it was pretty clear we were going to go on and win.

Barry. Gana. Nuff said.

Well happy at the moment. No complaints from me. COYBB!

The big positives were another excellent defensive performance. Ashley Williams looks a great buy, never seems to get out of second gear but gives absolutely nothing away. A huge improvement on Funes Mori.

The midfield three has an excellent balance. Barry really consistent, 600 PL games is some achievement. Barkley had a really good game after his poor 45 minutes on Monday, the lad is definitely worth persevering with and Koeman's handling of him might be the making of him.

Finally, Gana is everybody's favourite new player, I genuinely can't remember who made such an impression in his first five games.

One downside to consider: both Gana and Bolassie could be out for January with AFCON.

Gana is everything I've read about him, and more, some engine he's got. Barry was majestic showing some wonderful bits of close control and 600 games up – fantastic achievement.

I thought the Stekelenburg incident was a foul, Negredo clearly headed his arms when he had hold of the ball still but it was a quite ruthless reply from the boys (not a bit like the previous two seasons).

And finally we saw a different Ross, one that IMO has a wonderful future ahead of him at our wonderful club. Well done, lad – you can be as good as you want to be... just believe in yourself.

Gana is a marvel with work rate, passing ability and reading of play second to none – what a buy! And when I think of how the club was slated by a lot of TW posters who thought they knew better than the manager and Walsh...!!

Not sure about Mirallas – he plays as many loose balls as Ross but hopefully he will come good. Great man-management by Ronald with Ross – dropping him could have ruined his confidence but instead he had his best game of the season and didn't give the ball away.

Going in the right direct – well done, everyone!!

It is incredible that they come to a consensus on BT that it was okay. One of them even said that if the keeper had both hands on the ball then it would be no goal, and seconds later said that there was nothing wrong with it! Ludicrous.

Idrisaa / Gana / Geuye / Superman / Jesus is absolutely amazing. That kid covers more of the field than any player I think I've ever seen.

Colin Glassar – Mirallas benched? No way. Did you see the defense-splitting ball he played to Rom last week for the goal? He's been playing well. No real outstanding moments today but I'd not bench him – he's been excellent thus far.

A nominee.? He was head and shoulders above every player on the park.

So much to like. 3-1 didn't really reflect the game. Boro didn't even manage a shot on target (yet scored!). Solid, dangerous, controlled, energetic.

I actually thought Valencia did well when he came on. Keen to see a bit more of him.

Funny how a station manned full of RS couldn't pick out a blatant foul.

I also agree with Darren, you can only beat the team you are playing, and it doesn't matter a jot where that team is in the league or how famous they are – 3 points is 3 points won and the more often this Everton team achieves that then the better it will be for all of us.

Don't believe the hype put out there by professional pundits; like journalists and advertising people, they have an agenda all of their own. Koeman has his own agenda regarding Everton FC and if he gets it right, the pundits can say what they want as often as they want.

MotM, Gana?? Barry?? I thought for the second game in a row our MotM was the Zen-like calm of the defensive unit, an absolute pleasure to watch.

'Don't believe the hype put out there by professional pundits; like journalists and advertising people, they have an agenda all of their own. Koeman has his own agenda regarding Everton FC and if he gets it right, the pundits can say what they want as often as they want.'

Amen.

Mirallas poor the last couple games but putting much better shifts in. Between him or Deulofeu though its a difficult choice. Who wastes most possession? If they improve we can keep looking up. For now though it's one game at a time.

Delighted with the three points. COYB

Fantastic display again, Villa must feel like they've had their kecks ripped down and been shafted by King Dong, the seventies porn star, when we took Gana off them.

Thought it was perfectly OK myself.

Norwich next and the suns shines tomorrow.

Why does it matter where we were on MotD??? Liverpool v Chelsea were last. West Brom v West Ham were first... What's the conspiracy?

Conspiracy? Yep, you're right!!!

So many people complaining about the foul on Stekelenburg but no mention of Ashley Williams going in high on their keeper in the build-up to the equaliser. If we're honest, neither goal should have counted... but both did, so no loss.

Anyway, there was one other (local) blue in there so we both really enjoyed our 'comeback' win. My mate is a Spurs supporter so, as he drove me and had to sit and watch, I'm obliged to go to a place called Cappamore today to watch their game. Thought Ross showed a lot of bottle.

Up the Toffees (and Mr Gueye!)

It was pleasing to see Barkley take the game on in the second half in particular for 15 mins after a period of passing ball around at the back. More of that Ross.

Good impression of speed and intent from Valencia up front in the centre-forward position. Useful start but can he score?

Trouble was, he kept on opening it up and didn't know when to stop.

Koeman hasn't done too much with Martinez's squad, just tightened it back up again... though tbf, he also brought in some players.

So it's back to the 'Fine Margins' thing.

Gray did get a bit of head to the ball, not much, but more than the Boro guy who got none. I think the Ref let Williams's challenge go to even it out... like they always seem to do when they've made a balls-up yet won't or can't admit it.

Finally; How long will it be before some pundit, no doubt of the RS variety asks... 'Are Everton the new Leicester?' – No, we're just the new Everton.

Well done to the boys and back-room staff of Mr Koeman. Let's just continue to get behind them guys.

Keep the faith.

I love Bolasie and the energy he has. But Gana... what a talent! A credit to our scouting team because I knew very little about him but he's Tommy Gravesen on steroids and classier on the ball too. He must have four lungs or something. A firm favourite. I can't wait to see him in the derby. I shudder to think what he'll do in that.

And finally, Ronald Koeman – he is so refreshing to listen to. No bull, no sugar-coating, just pure sense – how could anyone not play for the man?

Keep it up, lads, make us prouder than we already are.

As to yesterday, the Boro goal is subjective I guess. The Stek should have been much stronger and we would have been fuming if it had been us and the goal was ruled out. Anyway, it seemed to kick start us and we won comfortably in the end. Another question answered in how we react to adversity.

It is early days but, as others have said, you can only beat what's in front of you and we are doing that well. We can start to build up confidence with this run of games and really if we carry on like this then we shouldn't fear going anywhere. There is a real air of optimism around Goodison Park now and it's long overdue. It's a joy to go to the game and expect to win again. Looking forward to the Norwich game on Tuesday now.

As for MotD, can't stand watching that show with Lineker, Shearer etc spouting their shite, makes me puke the way they fawn over the Mancs and RS. Fuck 'em, don't care what time the put us on, couldn't care less. Hopefully we can really do something this season, that would make the fuckers choke on their slimey sycophantic words for the RS etc.

Our start to the season puts the anger of the transfer window into some perspective... If we'd bought another striker and Number 10, I think we'd be genuine contenders for the league. Koeman is capable of it with modest investment.

At the moment, I am Watching Watford v Man Utd and apart from a screamer that hit the bar, he is playing up till now like an £800k player.

Seriously, right now, would any of you fellow ToffeeWebbers swop Gana for Pogba?? Moi, non!

The real issue though is the fact the ref gave it and the media reaction. If it would've been RS there is no way in this earth Mason, or any other ref, would have dared to give the goal. The fact that pundits were undecided too, again if RS then the ref would've been universally condemned/lambasted and this would still be news today.

To compete totally we need the refs to be a bit more favourable to us, remember the Man City semi last season?

Koemanating is the MAN.

I would have liked an extra goal or two in the second half – would have been good for the GD. Boro were close to capitulation.

As for MacManaman – he'll never be impartial when we are playing. All the former RS pundits don't do us any favours!

And – it's fair to say – the RS are playing well atm – Sadio Mane has been a great buy for them. Excuse me now while I vomit!!

His Man Utd side look similar to his last Chelsea team, ie, full of names, egos and bling but lacking team spirit, endeavour or imagination. Jose is only a young(ish) manager but maybe he's just after the money nowadays I don't know. I don't see them winning the league under him.

Stoke are all over the place with him at centre-back!

Bit of hindsight?

Glad we got Koeman though, I had wanted Mourinho as my first choice back in May (Koeman was second on my list)... but not now.

Sometimes you just lose your touch and can't get it back. I'm not writing Jose off just yet but something's rotten in red mancunia.

Scares me how positive things look for us at the moment as I'm not used to it since the 80s, but my head says I can't get too carried away until we have played a couple more top teams. But I love RK's directness and honesty when questioned and he gives me confidence that he really knows what he's doing and hopefully that's the same with the players. Certainly seemed to work on Barkley as I thought he had his best game for us this season yesterday.

As for MotD, I stopped watching that about 2 years ago, there is definitely a conspiracy because they always show our match last or second-last. COYBs

The Man City game is in a line ahead. Do you suggest that losing it is in some way defining our season? In my view, our season was defined when a decision was made to pay whatever it took to rid the club of the appalling Martinez.

But what is evident is our style has changed under Koeman, we now play at a much higher tempo, and look to press higher up the pitch. Yes, we will have tough games to come, but Koeman could hardly have wished for a better points tally. Getting the points on the board early breeds confidence, and if we could stay unbeaten till the Man City game we would go into the game feeling confident.

Koeman is not getting carried away he knows that it is early days into his stewardship and there will be many twists and turns ahead, but he strikes me as someone who will relish playing City on their own ground.

Finally, when are the Refs panel going to ditch Mason & Moss, the two most inept refs doing the rounds? Everytime they are in charge of one of our games I fear the worst. Surely yesterday's debacle must re-inforce the use of video technology, especially when Mason or Moss are in charge. They might know the rules but they definitely don't understand the game. To have these two officiating in the richest league in World football is a joke.

Okay, so what if we were to lose our next three games but then trolley Man City in the fourth? You would attribute greater significance to a win in the final game of that four game sequence than you would the triple flop immediately preceding it?

There's been numerous instances of us beating a more favoured team (say, Arsenal, for example) one week, only to then get turned over by a team we were expected to beat (say, Crystal Palace) the next. Why does that first game paint a more accurate picture of 'where we are' than the other?

Consistency of results and the totting up of points come the end of the season will be the only true indicators of 'how far' this team has come.

Hopefully we can show the others how to tame them! And what JD said too...

Martinez's signings were actually pretty poor. The 4 signings Koeman has made have seriously improved the team. Let alone the tactics etc. I was critical of the TDD fiasco but I'm so glad we didn't get Sissoko. He would not improve our team.

I trust Koeman and Walsh to upgrade each position gradually...

Chris (153), I thought that Rom – although he didn't do a great deal – looked more interested than he has of late and that Gareth had a fine game. Gueye was the pick of the Koeman players and the others were decent enough, although not outstanding.

The Moyes boys in the team, Mirallas, Coleman, Jags and Baines, did pretty well as we have come to expect, but again none of them truly sparkled. Which leave Ross who had one of his better games in an Everton shirt. The subs were not much to write home about: Deulofeu was his usual erratic self; Valencia was making his first appearance; and Cleverley wasn't on long enough to make any assertions.

It really doesn't matter who signed the players who appear in Everton's first team, it's how the current manager gets the best out of those chosen by him. So far so good on that front.

I don't think we should fear playing Man City at all. I think not fearing teams is the key to beating them. City are beatable as any team are.

City and RS and us look the best teams so far (it is still very, very early) but they both have suspect defences for me so it will be interesting. Arsenal had a good win yesterday but they are not a cut above by any measure. As for Chelsea, well any team that features David Luiz in defence is beatable to me.

All this easy/hard team stuff is just shit really; I was at Oxford United in 1986. You beat the next team you play and that's it.

And also that koeman has made 4 who are all first teamers, all improving the team. Again think of alcaraz kone Robles mcgeady niasse they didn't even get in Martinez first 11

Points to a much better recruitment strategy

I've categorised the transfers he paid money for as follows. I've ignored youth players who are still to prove whether they will make it.

Good buys who you will definitely get more than your money back.

Lukaku
Galloway
Holgate
McCarthy
Deufoleu

Not quite good enough but we will probably get our money back.

Funes Mori
Besic
Robles
Lennon (small loss)

Duds

McGeady
Kone

Uncategorisable due to absolute shitness.

Niasse

He did as well bring Barry in on a free but at the same time did the same with Alcaraz, Eto'o and Cleverley.

In reality, if you look at it individually because even with his net spend of 㿞m, the profit on Lukaku will nearly cover that. However he just didn't strengthen in the right areas namely centre half and centre forward.

Saying that, I hope they both stay, although I realise at least two big signings will be arriving in the next window so one or two will be going out.

As I said, I'm not trying to defend him. I would say, however, his transfer business is not a complete nightmare; it will probably pay for itself in the end.

His player selection, although not great, was not the problem, it was more what he got out of the players he had that was the problem.

You make a good point in that the transfer fee is not the only cost to the club. For instance Eto'o was 'free' but his wages will have been high.

I agree on Lennon, we won't get ٢.5m for him but I suspect he could be a squad player.

Cleverley we could get our money back given we got him for free and he's only 27. We got him for free because I assume he had to take a pay cut leaving Man Utd.

Either way, I don't think any of them compare to paying 㾹.5m for Oumar Niasse, truly the sign of a manager in his dying days.

I think we need Andy Burnham on the job.

Really??? Did you not notice that 'Boro' didn't have a single shot on target? I wonder if Jags, Baines and Coleman had anything to do with that...

Didn't you see Seamus and his reinvigorated work rate, where he was like his old 'express train' self up and down the wing, defending, and assisting the attacks? Or just maybe it wasn't him that scored that class goal – which if Sturridge had scored would have been fauned over – that put us ahead.

However bad Martinez was as a coach and also – like every manager – he made some bad buys, you can't just discredit everything he did... let's just put him in the past and rejoice in our new Everton.

Our neighbours have taken 7 away points against Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea. My worry is when we come to play a top team away from home, we may struggle. ,

Our main weaknesses, are giving the ball away cheaply, and too many misplaced passes (a legacy of that idiot Martinez), which will destroy us against the likes of Man City & Arsenal for example. I hope I am totally wrong.

Quite right that we will most likely struggle away at a top 5 club but we have the structure to defend getting stronger every game and that gives us a chance – and a manager showing much better game-changing tactics.

Injuries will be the bigger test - let us see where we get to by January 1st and who we have left playing 100% by then.

Are you a media pundit or do you just look on the RS as our only barometer of success or failure. All teams in the Premier League have played five games, the various points tallies tells us where those teams are at this moment in time, any other details such as upcoming fixtures or who each team has played is irrelevant.

Look at Man City and Man Utd's fixture list for the opening five games, not really too different to ours are they and with a large slice of luck we may have beaten Spurs but that would be very greedy as we've had our little breaks so far.

I'm not saying we are going to win the league or even claim we are nailed on to finish in the top six as we haven't played well enough for long enough so far in our fixtures, but winning, like losing becomes a habit and if the team are still suffering teething problems, but are winning football matches that is always a good sign for it to have a decent season.

Considering that abject capitulation away to the Black Cats last year (ultimately signalling the end of BBS's reign) this team has come a long way (mentally, physically, and technically) in a relatively short period of time. Much, much more to do but it was critical, above all else, for this team rebuild some of that confidence that has been lacking for far too long.

I think most of us have been supporting the Blues long enough to know that success is fleeting and one's fortunes can take a turn at a moment's notice. We are certainly not world beaters (yet!) but there are positive signs that we are in the process of (re)building a foundation that many believe can propel us forward – one game at a time.