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David Chait
1 Posted 18/09/2016 at 07:16:57
The four signings have been significant in the wins so far. Obviously the way Koeman sets them up is vital and undoubtedly the most important part of the puzzle.

A 2-goal lead meant nothing last year, and although we didn't play with the same gusto in the last 30 minutes, I wouldn't say we sat on the lead either and welcomed them to attack. With Gueye we are tackling higher up the pitch and, although I don't know if we are pressing as much as Koeman wants, we are definitely wining more ball in midfield and can see the opposition going backwards when in possession more often. They don't seem to have all the time in the world to fly in those crosses they could do at will last season.

I actually watched the last 20 minutes relaxed and happy. That is the best change so far!

Ian McDowell
2 Posted 18/09/2016 at 08:13:39
It took us a while to get going and maybe a dodgy decision by the ref. After that, though, we completely dominated.

Lovely finish by Coleman after a great run. Kept himself composed and just rolled it into the corner with his weaker foot.

David Ellis
3 Posted 18/09/2016 at 09:46:33
I just feel so much more relaxed watching Everton this season. Any trouble that starts to appear and Gana just seems to pop up and snuff it out. Him, Barry and Barkley do a great job of always being available for a short pass from the central defenders and therefore not forcing Williams and Jags to be distributors, a task for which they are ill-suited.

Mirallas covers a lot more ground nowadays and tracks back properly. He still seems very wasteful in attack though. Although he's a definite starter for now I can see why Koeman was still hunting for similar players on TDD.

Negredo is only on loan to Boro - he held the ball up really well and I think he would be a good signing for us. Valencia didn't show enough composure for me...but let's give him some time, and presumably a full 90 minutes against Norwich.

Top 4 is realistic goal as long as Lukaku and Gana stay fit. I'm super excited. Can't wait for the next game.

Paul Hay
4 Posted 18/09/2016 at 10:22:03
Certainly feeling so comfortable now watching us play and even the uncertain start and goal did little to curb my confidence that unlike last season, we would simply fold. Gana was absolutely awesome I felt. His work-rate and commitment was admirable. A really great signing – and what a bargain!

Many congratulations to Gareth on his 600th appearance. True professional and totally unsurprised to see him consolidate his booking record in the Premier League further – given the passion he displays.

Yes, apart from Spurs we have yet to play the more challenging teams but nevertheless let's all enjoy the excellent start. Negredo is an interesting option but perhaps we require someone who can can offer a different option to Rom while complimenting him if they both feature.

Thanks for the report.

Keep the faith.

Christopher Timmins
5 Posted 18/09/2016 at 10:47:55
Keeper was not good the opening goal. The response was fantastic and Gueye is just sensational. The second half was a master class in game management. Along with Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool we are fighting for the top 4 positions.

Can't wait for the next game!

Jamie Sweet
6 Posted 18/09/2016 at 11:03:05
Just how bad must the other 10 Villa players have been last season for Idrissa Gueye to have been on the losing side so many times?!
Dave Ganley
7 Posted 18/09/2016 at 11:52:18
Absolutely, Jamie (#6). He is just immense. Surprised he had slipped under the radar for so many clubs. Can't believe no one else had come in for him. What a steal!

Just need to make sure we get in a top quality centre forward in January. God forbid if Lukaku gets a bad injury this side of Xmas.

Liam Reilly
8 Posted 18/09/2016 at 12:08:42
There's a lot of talk about the teams that are being dispatched are not of top 6 quality, but there's no more points awarded for beating Man Utd, Man City or Arsenal than there are by beating Boro and West Brom.

The regular dispatching of these teams is the route to the top 6 come May.

Geoff Williams
9 Posted 18/09/2016 at 12:08:44
Very pleased with the progress we are making to date. The defence seems much tighter and as a result the whole team is playing with more confidence. I am, however, concerned that we lack someone good in the air.

For all the confidence Ashley Williams exudes, he is a very poor header of the ball. As for the players, we do have some real gems and it won't have gone unnoticed in Manchester.

Joe Foster
10 Posted 18/09/2016 at 12:15:09
Only a couple of weeks until the title decider. Can't wait.
Terry Underwood
11 Posted 18/09/2016 at 12:30:13
Gueye – if anybody sent a better £7m during the last window, I would love hear of it. His dummy run to persuade the Boro player to pass which he then doubled back to intercept was pure genius, I see this guy becoming a Blues legend.

The more we win, the closer Goodison gets to a bear pit.

COYMB

Bob Parrington
12 Posted 18/09/2016 at 13:54:22
Liam (#8). Couldn't agree more. So far 13 points from 5 games = 13.15% of games. 100% of games at same efficiency = around 98 points. Already also almost 1/3 of the way towards the safety point (the stop worrying point!!).

We'll win some of the games vs the so-called top 4 or 5 regardless of the naysayers. Great start. Plus we'll probably add to the squad in the January window. Doesn't mean to say we are perfect yet. We sat back at times and left some gaping holes that a others would punish but...

Paul Thompson
13 Posted 18/09/2016 at 14:22:22
Good report, Lyndon, especially on the iImproved psychology of team and fans. The only major problem at the moment seems to be very slow starts. We shouldn't need a dodgy goal to wake us up.
Darren Hind
14 Posted 18/09/2016 at 17:34:20
Hands up, Lyndon.

You were not happy with me for describing Gana as "another Besic" when he arrived. I had seen enough of him beforehand to make me think he was no more than a tackiling machine, but his all-round game... who knew? I most definitely didn't.

Let's hope Besic comes back and proves me wrong too.

I love your stuff, but I get frustrated by your calls for patience sometimes, You've certainly called this one right.

Nicholas Ryan
15 Posted 18/09/2016 at 18:51:01
There is still, on this website, an article headed '... nothing has changed.'

One thing which has changed dramatically, is that when we went 3-1 up, not for one second, did I think we would throw it away.

Last season we could, and usually, did!

Jamie Sweet
16 Posted 19/09/2016 at 00:57:31
While I always enjoy your reports, Lyndon, can you tell us what has happened to Paul and Ken? That's two games, two wins, and no report from either of them.
Col Wills
17 Posted 19/09/2016 at 13:46:02
Jamie @9, the thing is that, when you beat the contenders, you take away their ability to add to their tally, my friend.

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