Just when we dared to dream a little…

The most negative caveats were (1) a lack of squad depth, which hopefully the January transfer window would address, and (2) a relatively kind set of fixtures to start the season. Overall, an impression of decent progress and a bright future in store beginning with the squad we've got and provided we subsequently get the right signings in.

One week on, and apparently things have changed. Now, a lot of comments suggest we're not much better, if at all, than last season, and there are now some question marks expressed over Koeman's approach. This evening, you could easily get the impression that we're doomed.

It seems odd to me that one week can produce such a change. It strikes me that either something has changed for the worse at Everton this week, or there's a degree of over-reaction on TW.

Some of our performances were poor. But some were borderline unprofessional. Bolasie would have been dragged off in the Sunday League for the shit he was pulling.

Big test for Ron. His key trait seems to be that he will set high standards and not allow them to slip. Well he's got some big decisions to make now. What do you do when the majority of the team perform so badly?

I don't think Koeman thinks for one minute he can't be criticised – he has made some selection mistakes in the last two games. But a bit of balance please – the transfer window saw some great buys; TDD we are a joke; beat Boro – fantastic, lose to Bournemouth – we are crap; Koeman is a genius; no, he's useless.

This is a work in progress so we all need to be patient.

The manager's pay is irrelevant. BK said he paid Moyes what he did as he believed Moyes as coach could offset our lack of spending on players and his record proves BK right. RM was a clown. Koeman is earning what he is because we had to pay over the odds to turn his head from Soton. Do you believe that Guardiola would do much better with these players?

The truth is we never replaced Arteta, Cahill or Pienaar. We believed somehow that Ross would be Gazza, Geri would be Messi, and even Ryan Ledson would be Roy Keane. In reality Ross is more Jodi Morris, Geri is more Ilie Dumitrescu and Ryan Ledson is no Roy Keane.

The likes of Gemmill, Pembridge and Mike Newell wouldn't look out of place on our bench as we have amassed a horde of journeymen. Doesn't matter how much the manager earns, he's not an alchemist.

Barkley, Bolasie, Gana, Barry, Bolasie again were all repeatedly caught lazing on the ball or dancing around it as if they could waltz through the defenders. And they all looked so surprised when the ball disappeared in the other direction.

This was not a timid, nervous side. It was a relaxed, cocky side. Too relaxed.

The truth is the team in blue, playing the way they played, would be hard pressed to get any points off of the team in red and black, playing the way they played... ever.

We were out-played and out-managed. We were on the back foot from the opening whistle. They pressed us, the way we should have pressed them, and we couldn't find a way around it.

Have the opposition found our Achilles heel already?

I've seen better team performances by 11 blokes just pulled out of the nearest pub. Everton have to learn to play for each other and to beat the opposition's harrying and pressing by letting the ball do the work. I'd sum it up by saying that my MotM was one of the unused subs.

Fast forward to yesterday and the confidence we'd shown in earlier games had visibly wilted on the back of Tuesday's defeat. Even when it was clear that Williams was struggling, Koeman kept him on when he could have brought Funes Mori on to add an serial threat at set pieces and who always plays as if his life depends on the result.

Instead, mostly like-for-like subs merely perpetuated the collective lack of intensity displayed by the entire team yesterday. For once, our new manager lacked imagination in his subs and it showed in the result.

Must do better on Friday or I sense a few knives will be being sharpened and pointed in Koeman's direction.

How we react in the next match against an up-for-it Palace will be the acid test of where we are and of Koeman's managerial prowess.

Kieran (#6), reports from Twebbers and others who travelled to Bournemouth clearly show we were out-played on the field plus a problem of poor timing of substitutions that did nothing to alter the flow of the game. A number of our respected travelling correspondents also hinted our fitness levels were not up that of the Cherries.

I agree, the manager's salary is irrelevant to the players' performance during the actual game yet so much depends upon his ability to have his players physically ready tactically prepared motivated and working to a good game plan. The manager should have the nous to spot where matters are not going to plan and make suitable changes.

By all accounts, Koeman was remiss in all the above matters and hopefully he does not attempt to hide his own failures with a Martinez-like dollop of tripe.

He also mentioned team work. Bournemouth presses like a team, Everton don't! On numerous occasions, Barkley was closing down on his own while the Bournemouth defenders would easily pass around him.

So there we go, how hard can it be to coach professionals to press together as a team!? Over to you Ronald!

Bournemouth are no better than the others we've played; it's a case of us having played badly yesterday. If we'd played like we had been playing, chances are we would have won, and comfortably so. Because our wins have been comfortable, perhaps some complacency set in. Koeman was clearly fuming yesterday in the post-match interview.

Being pessimistic is easily the safest mindset for being an Evertonian!

I haven't seen the game yet but really disappointed to lose. Win v Palace though and all will be back on track? (Going against my own advice there!)

I'm worried by the lack of game-changing options from the bench at the moment, especially with Ross's lack of form. More time for Dowell and Davies possibly?

To believe that we can suddenly start matching top 5 clubs on the field with consistency after decades of spending half as much or much less on wages is also mad. It will take years to build the club to compete with Spurs never mind top 5. The impact of this inability to spend is on player quality, squad depth.

If you lack quality, you can make it up with effort, fitness up to a point, and you can develop younger players but you aren't going to match those whose 'youth teams' are every club on earth for more than one or two players a generation.

The weaknesses in our side are obvious; sentimentality is a luxury we can't afford. As Koeman said, we need a second team as good as the first – I would add that some in the first team should be in the seconds. Top 4 consistently needs us to be able to (at least) double our wage bill in relative terms – until we have that we will have false dawns.

I agree with the posters who said that this is an overreaction; it's a blip and we can't expect to go through the season without some shite performances.

Secondly, Koeman has got to be allowed to instill his philosophy, which is markedly different from BBS, and it'll take time; and let's hope that we don't go down the Sunderland route of changing managers as often as yer undies.

Slightly off the subject, there was an interesting comment by a journalist on the Sky program 'Sunday Supplement' (which is noteworthy in itself cos they normally talk complete shite) that the high pressing game favoured by Guadiola, Klopp, Pochetino, and Koeman, starts to run out of steam at the business end of the season, because it is virtually impossible for human beings, no matter how fit, to be at it for 8-9 months.

We have Barkley, very skilful but generally pretty ponderous, and Mirallas, reasonably quick but can't tackle nor beat a man. Bolassie is quick and strong but others are very average. Only Gueye shows real skill and speed in midfield.

Changes have to be made, that is obvious ,and perhaps it's time to bring in Tom Davies again. Everton are also developing a bad habit of conceding first and in the last three games against average teams.

Mirallas is no winger.

Neither is Deulofeu.

Barkley is no different.

Lukaku is still getting no service.

Barry is getting no younger, but with no ready made replacement.

And the defence still crumbles once pressure is applied. Yet, Galloway was sent out on loan.

Everton for me can be a dangerous team on their day. I fear though the squad is still thin on quality, therefore we will struggle to find consistency week to week. It's still early days so no panic yet.

I can see us having a dip in the market come January mind if these type of performances get more frequent. Really need a result against Palace now to get back on track.

So they can do it... just not all the time... and I don't mean physical fitness-wise.

But mental fitness?? – Maybe there's more than Barkley with a problem... So why?

1) Just a bad day at the office?

2) They can't be arsed? – like Mike Gaynes says, plain over-confidence?

3) The New Manager bounce has worn off and they've reverted to their Martinez "can't be arsed" mode.

Thing is there are more arses to kick than Koeman has feet to boot with and a shortage of replacements if his auld Dutch leg gets tired.

You'll be earning your £6M Ron. Hop to it mate. Kick Arse, good style... Or Moshiri might have to kick yours.

We were totally outplayed and outfought. But on the latter, how would anyone expect it to be any different when you play with 3 players (Barkley, Lukaku and Mirallas/Delofeu) who have no notion of closing down and winning possession?

The lack of any half-time changes was very surprising since it was clear that a structural adjustment was going to be required to change the course of the game. Only the (too) late bringing on of Valencia and so going 4-3-3 attempted this. In particular, the replacement of Mirallas by Deulofeu just gave us more of the same.

Our start is good when you consider what happened in the last two seasons, so give Koeman and Walsh time because if we as fans can see the problem, I'm sure a top manager and top player for Barcelona and Holland can!

He was really chuffed 8 days ago, but totally pissed off yesterday. Klopp has been in virtually the same situation at Liverpool, and it's only now clicking into place for them, but they have the same points as us. (I don't want to talk about Liverpool, but quite a few posts are saying how well they and others are doing, when in fact there doesn't seem to me to be that much difference, Man City being the stand-out exception.)

So I'll go back to what I said @1, there seeming to be a little bit of over-reaction to this week's events. Up to this week we've handled the games comfortably, and I'm hoping we do it again against Palace.

Instead, we got a display that bordered on negligent. The attitude yesterday and Tuesday was awful. What has happened to the fight shown after Boro took the lead last Saturday?

Maybe Koeman's management style is not going down too well with the team / squad. I suspect something happened this week behind the scenes and it has unsettled things.

Koeman himself was very stroppy during his pre-match conference. His comment after the Norwich game – that he played the best 11 available – was surely wrong. The best 11 would have been the 11 who beat Boro, bar any injuries.

Something's not right. Friday's game v Palace will tell us if we are right to worry or this week has been a blip and just one of them things.

For far too long, we have been suffering very ordinary sides getting results against us, like this week. Koeman coming out and talking crap like our former manager makes it even worse.

Teams have a right go and we revert to the Martinez days. It'll still take a couple of months to eradicate fully. Barkley seems to have a great game then just slips back into uselessness – he needs to sort himself out. Gerry to start on Friday for me.

The substitutions were too late and the wrong ones in my opinion, Barkley should've been off at half-time and Cleverley has never influenced a match in his career.

It's okay saying Koeman is trying to get over his philosophy – you need the players clever enough and determined enough to take it on board... and sadly, we have too many players not capable of doing this.

What did I do in a past life to be reborn as a Blue?

There were players out there who were just not able to move with the ease that we have seen previously. I thought that the very fact that when Cleverley came on in a centre-mid position he looked far better in quickness of thought and deed than both Barry and Gana when in my opinion that is definitely not the case when all three are fit and feeling strong.

Seems to me we will have plenty more ups and downs yet but, if we can see improvement in all departments after each window, then we may be in a better position to either praise manager and board or indeed castigate them.

Friday night is a little early to be called and 'Acid Test' but it may throw up problems that we will need to deal with urgently in the next two windows.

Keep the faith, lads and lasses, and who knows – this time next year we will be a consistent team with the necessary back-up in each position. Until then hold tight and keep taking the medication.

UP THE BLUES

It's not the end of the world but a solid reality check. 6 games in, 5 against teams currently in bottom half. We've had a solid start but no more than that.

Occasionally you have games likes this in the EPL; they were at the top of their game, we were well below our game and the bounce of the ball never seemed to fall our way all match. Heads up, Evertonians – we will be back!

We have only Lukaku and Coleman who are genuine top 4 players in my opinion. I like our new signings, good players all, but top 4 players, not for me I'm afraid; as for the others, mid-table quality in the main.

We have a good enough manager, but we are lacking on the player front – that's our ongoing problem.

All we need is another 5 top class players to build around Coleman & Lukaku. Presumably the remaining 4 players on the pitch can be any willing Sunday League player.

So there you go, Ron, problem solved mate. Spunk 𧶀M on 5 'top class' players... doesn't matter who or where they play... we're gonna win the league thanks to Raymond Fox!

We had a good start and we all got a bit excited so let's see some steady improvement over the coming months and see where we are come January.

I'm at a loss to decipher why we start each game slowly and tentatively instead of hitting the opposition early with high intensity and letting them know they are in for a rough ride. We seem to give everyone a head start and end up chasing the game by half-time... totally unacceptable in my opinion.

Back to Saturday, and with Bolasie totally ineffective, why didn't Koeman give Lennon the last 30 mins? We all know Lennon will run his legs off for the team and also provides a goal threat when he gets in the box, something Bolasie has failed to demonstrate so far.

Man Utd, Man City etc don't shell out fortunes each season for fun, do they? We have spent good money but they're still players the money clubs don't want!

I was cautious after the good run of results because, when we analyse it, we still have the likes of Cleverley, Lennon, Kone, Oviedo playing significant roles. I don't think Barkley will reach his potential and we have too many players who are good for 1 game in 3. I think we all hoped that Koeman would sweep through the club and get rid of all of the dead wood but it didn't happen.

I'm still optimistic though because I think we now have a longer-term plan as a club. Koeman is a good manager and will get things right given the resources. We need some positive announcement on a waterside development and to make Goodison intimidating again for away sides. Hopefully we can bring in some reinforcements in January.

Koeman is no fool and wouldn't have accepted the role if he was presented improbable objectives for his first season in charge. Therefore I'd suspect a top half finish would be the realistic target for season one, and we can expect a season of ups and downs.

God help us if Palace get a point...

It has been basically the same all season and when the other team scores first, then it's all uphill. Hopefully certain things will change for the Palace game and we see this Everton side really taking charge early on.

I have to disagree with you... We need 7 or 8 top class players to play beside Coleman, Lukaku, Gana. There are a couple of good players in the team: Barry, Williams, who are very useful, but, not for the long term, due to there age.

The three Musketeers: Barkley, Mirallas and Deulofeu have blagged it now for too long, and will not turn top Class,contrary to some supporters views. Koeman knows we need radical change, but needs time.

People are saying we should beat ' the likes of Bournemouth and Palace. Without realising that these teams are just as well equipped to turn over an above-average, but not top six team, such as ourselves. After all, we did buy one of their players... and could do with buying a couple more!

Possible overreaction from some but I can't help feeling there is still a lack of passion in the playing staff when compared to the RS.

A few on TW agreed there should be a big clean out over the summer. Clearly this didn't happen. Does this mean we still have some rotten apples within? Or is this equally an overreaction?

I am hoping Bolasie is different and, whilst he often over does it with the fancy stuff, I think he can still keep his head up and deliver good ball into Rom from either foot. Geri should be standing head and shoulders above players with the speed and skill the lad has but he often looks like he couldn't be bothered.

I think Koeman tried to work hard with Mirallas and Geri in pre-season to boost their confidence but it looks like both don't have the desire to work their asses off, week-in & week-out, to prove they are top players.