Koeman satisfied with Goodison bow

As I said on another thread, happy with a decent performance, disappointed we couldn't hold on, but signs are encouraging.

I thought the team shape was excellent, and they did run themselves into the ground. Positive performances from the new boys and most of the old as well – Kone the exception, what a waste of space.

A few more signings together with continuation of building up the fitness levels and we'll be looking in good nick I think. We won't win the league just yet but we look much improved on the last couple of seasons. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey.

The keeper did well, Gana did very well, and Baines was more involved in he first half. Already liking this manager's attitude much more than the con man we had the prior three seasons.

Gradually that knack of inviting attacks back onto us should hopefully stop.

Koeman: 'A good opportunity to play against a high line, big opportunity from pressing high up the pitch...a big opportunity and he has to score but you saw it's not for 90 minutes...I like Geri and Kevin as players but they need to run more. You saw with Ross in the second half working hard for the team, he needs to take more responsibility and defend better because it makes the team stronger and he will learn that no problem.'

I like his candid nature, it's clear what he expects from his players.
We're going to play better football and we're going to get fitter plus we'll be signing players so I think he's right to be pleased with today.

It's a different approach to the game and the players will adapt in time so there's plenty to be optimistic about.

He also spoke about the intelligence of Gana and Barry, they will be the pairing in midfield I think he said.

Jags and Funes Mori looked solid at the back. Funes Mori had far more confidence and self-assurance than he had under OFM. The Copa America experience has added to his play, as well as working with RK I think. With Ashley Williams joining the ranks, we won't miss John Stones if they continue like this.

The future looks brighter under our new manager, easy to say after one game, but the signs were good. One final point, was I the only one who thought our attacks were faster and had more purpose without Lukaku's ponderous efforts at hold-up play and poor first touch? Just a thought.

I'm with you on the Lukaku point. Thought exactly the same yesterday.

I believe its all to do with mindset. If Lukaku is up for it he is more than capable of making runs and closing down etc. Only Koeman and his staff will know if he's up for it or not.

One thing is for sure, his usual pondering about doesn't comply with what Koeman wants his strikers to do.

So Del missed that chance on half time but at least he made it. Rom wouldn't have been within a light year of it and Del ain't Aguero sadly or we'd have that put to bed by half time.

A game of two halves as they say but given where we are right now I feel very 'glass half full' about the immediate future after yesterday.

"their goal was caused by a concession of the ball about a minute before which was due to some Martinez-esque poncing about at the back."

Andrew, utterly correct, indeed it was. As "a voice behind me" clearly announced "Fuck the Chuckle Brothers routine right off will ya!"

It was abundantly clear that this "mispassage" of play was only going to end in "the weeping, and the wailing, and the grinding of the teeth, and the rending of the cloths"

I especially enjoyed your most accurate use of the oft overlooked term "poncing about".

Thank you.

Martinez had nothing to do with it.

I bet we must be in the top 2 or 3 Premier Clubs for thehighest number of draws a season. We have dropped 2 points, we have conceded at home and blown a 100% home record. Dismal.

After an hour or so, too many of our players were dead on their feet whereas Spurs looked like they could play for another hour. It's been no secret in the stands that the players have been unfit, and Barkley and McCarthy in particular looked like they've finally come off the pies. Either that, or they are wearing a larger size of shorts and it was an optical illusion.

Barry has acquired a new lease of life, but Bainsey is looking a shadow of his former self, and the amount of crosses coming in from his wing were worrying: maybe the younger Oviedo, or a new signing to shore this up? Don't know what's happened to Garbutt.