Koeman and Schneiderlin content with hard-won point

Schneiderlin really looked the part today (a couple of risky under hit square balls aside). Barry can relax and enjoy retirement.

Koeman moved to a 4-3-3 after the break with McCarthy coming on for the below par Holgate. Whilst this stopped Stoke's fluency it also seemed to reduce ours and the game became a bit more scrappy.

Lookman came on for Mirallas and furnished a couple of great attempts, the second one after the Stoke keeper made a wonderful save from a flying Davies header. Davies was very noticeable, creative and destructive in equal measure, and hopefully maturity will reduce the errors.

I hoped for a win but expected a draw. Utd drew at home in an easier fixture. Onwards and upwards! (Or at least onwards and sideways.)

I think part of Barkley's issue is people want him to do that but he lacks the pace to get up and down field. Plus he's better at cute balls rather than 30-yarders.

If we have Schneiderlin deep as a maestro, Barkley in the hole, then width from wing backs or wingers then we have three routes to goal. With Rom's strength and Lookman's speed we also have the over the top root one option. So, all-in-all, we are looking a more balanced attacking force.

Speaking of Stones, Davies is far more secure with the ball.

If you're right, Kieran, I need to go to the optician. Barkley doesn't have an exceptional engine that I know of, but surely no problem with pace? He's actually quite quick.

The plus points are that we are showing more resilience under Koeman even if I have no idea on how he wants us to play.

Davies and Lookman were both unlucky not to get on the scoresheet; Lookman doing more in 10 minutes than lard arse Lukaku offered the whole game. Holgate was rightly withdrawn as he was being taught a painful lesson and being dragged left, right and centre between Crouch and Arnaoutovich, he will learn from it and hopefully start again next game.

I also have absolutely no fucking idea what system Koeman is trying to establish but I don't care as long as we keep winning he can keep it secret.
COYB

We always have poor finishes or poor touches. If we had good first time touches or good finishes, we'd have scored goals and not be in the seventh position circumstantially where we are now, circumstantially.

I am beginning to wonder if these are euphemisms for 'poor touch' or 'poor finish'/ couldn't finish' equals 'can't win games' because our strikers are just not good enough.

With Gana back playing, we might see what him and Schneiderlin have in potential.

Even of Lukaku – I cannot remember how many times he has had poor first touches and poor finishes, so if he could master this requisite skill, he'd have an impressive score record for the Premier League itself, and not just Everton.

It's all about confidence with him: people get on his back, he crumbles. When people praise him, he excels.

Convinced that injuries and poor form forced Koeman into 3-5-2, i'm still wondering what if...

But it has worked in the last month or so and performances are better. now the real measure of progress it the home game with Bournemouth, defeated at the Vitality for the first time this season, it was THE poorest performance of the season, albeit Watford comes damn close.

Can Koeman break down a lower level premier league side at home? My instincts say he might stick with things as they are, however we do need more in the final third. I'd personally go with Lookman up front with Rom, not an overly physical side, Bournemouth should be an ideal time to give him a start.

Mirallas has looked ineffectual in the last two games and perhaps needs a rest.

This is also a test for Ross, against City, Palace he thrived on open space and looked very good. Against Bournemouth on Saturday he has a much harder task, can he dictate the play?

I'd leave Ross out and let Gana anchor the midfield, Davies and Schneiderlin can get us up the pitch.

Holgate comes back in and straight back on the horse, when we play a flat back four both full backs are neutered.

We are neither going up or down with a conservative approach, intrinsic to Koeman. The only way we will catch anyone above us is to go for it now we have enough points to end 7th.

UTFT!