So because we've been bad once, that is now the barometer to how we should judge situations 20 odd years on?
A) we've been bad many, many more times than once, and B) I'm not judging the situation but pointing out that it is much better than people think and is improving at a much quicker rate than it has for a long time. In the year and a bit Koeman has been here the squad is much improved. Yes, we've lost some big names but they didn't want to stay and perhaps grew quicker than Everton could realistically have done so. We will get a top quality striker in at some point. Perhaps not this window but in the near future. No one knows what the plans of the club were and what targets they had. It may just have worked out that the signings we got were the only ones possible.
I think we have the quality to do well this season and compete, though perhaps not for Champions League spot yet. The club is going in the right direction and soon young players in the mound of Lukaku will sign for us in the knowledge that we are not a stepping stone club but one that can realistically compete with the top teams. We've already convinced Pickford, Keane, Klaassen and Sandro of this and that is just the start.
Just enjoy this transition for what it is. The good stuff is coming.