Koeman credits game-changer Valencia

Calvert-Lewin looked a bit out of it, I thought, in his substitute appearances but I was very encouraged by his style and energy today even in such a short appearance. Let's hope for a very quick recovery.

Not a long term answer to the necessary quality needed to move us on to the next level that we require but for now he appears to offer more able back up than the likes of Kone or invisible man Niasse.

We can always be wise looking back in hindsight talking about why Mirallas was brought on ahead of Valencia for Calvert-Lewin but at the time nobody questioned it as Mirallas is as capable as any of producing a goal.

Let's just say today Koeman got his substitutions spot on and the later introduction of Valencia against a then tiring Southampton defence worked magic.

A good start to the year but we need to build and build and make a solid stable platform for a real top four assault next season.

Valencia may not be the greatest player in the world, but he plays with urgency and must be a nightmare to defend against. I hope Koeman takes what lessons he can from this and we're not back to Barry, Jags and an isolated Lukaku next game.

The summer has to be when we attempt to move-on the dead-wood at the club too such as Gibson, Kone etc.

I like the way he's conducting himself. He ain't perfect in what he says but if our players are men rather than wusses they'll appreciate it when he praises them and praise them he does IF, but only IF, they earn it.

It's the real-world, and way overdue to some of them who I think we're seriously damaged by that gobshite Martinez constantly bigging them up despite the ineptness they displayed.

The results are the clue and somehow he ain't doing too bad at all. With better players he may well do even better. He knows it, I believe it, and so it's time for the board to deliver.

NOW!

Davies was pretty decent in his first start. He grew into the game and was prepared to carry the ball later on and not just release it like early on which shows he's got a trick in him. Great work rate throughout as well.

Let's be cautious though.

Barry came on and produced several passes forward that got us going. This is a strength of his game and shouldn't be forgotten just because he can't cover the ground at pace as before.

It's a transition period and patience is required as the new replaces the old.

I have said from the beginning that Koeman's appointment looked more based on what he did for Southampton than taking us up to the level we as fans deserve. Interesting times.

Too many have foolishly written Barry off in the last 2/3 games – he made more telling forward passes when he came on than McCarthy's made all season and Ross made before he was subbed Mike @ 17.

When is Ross going to be an awesome player? How many more years will we wait to see that? 5+ seasons in Premier League already and still waiting for real signs of it.

Over his career up to this point he has looked magnificent on the ball sometimes but has seemed to shirk out of most physical contact which is a real handicap. But over the last few games something has changed in him its like the cloud has lifted and he is really throwing his weight around.

For me this is really a wonderful triumph for the lad because the monkey is off his back. It's taken a long time but finally we are seeing the real Barkley. It's great for the club, don't you think?