The transfer window slammed shut with Evertonians world-wide still baffled by the deadline day farce that seemed to unfold, every second streamed (albeit with a seeming 2 hour lag from reality) by the now nauseating SkySportsNews channel. It's just gone too far now in terms of transfer coverage, perhaps though that's a view down to the writer's ageing years rather than anything else.
Perhaps now is as good a time as any to take stock of where exactly Everton 'are at'.
Moshiri paid big 'bucks' for our Dutch manager, Ronald Koeman. Before and after the acquisition of Steve Walsh as a supplemental resource in the backroom staffing, Moshiri again got the cheque book out to purchase a new number 2 GK (now number 1 it seems), Euro semi-finalist and national captain Ashley Williams, enigmatic Yannick Bolasie and a not-so-cheap loan signing of Enner Valencia. Forgot anyone? Oh. Yes. The absolutely superb Idrissa Gueye/Gana/whatever. What a player.
Koeman has employed a new system whereby Everton, without the ball, have to run. Seems simple enough, no? The sight of Ross Barkley legging it around Goodison Park with conviction is a success in itself. After all, under the previous management he was quite clearly told to conserve energy.
Everton look 'snappy'. The intelligence in the pressing game is particularly impressive to see. Instead of the 'medium-block' tactic deployed by Martinez, Koeman has impressed onto his players the need for more aggression. Everton sit in and allow the opposition to play out from time to time, especially in periods of pressure. What is fantastic to see though is, to relieve that pressure and keep the opposition largely away from our penalty box, whenever an opponent receives the ball with his back to our
goal, wherever it is on the pitch, inevitably you will see an Everton player busting a gut to clatter him. Barry and Baines have been the standout performers in this regard. Both players, not blessed with pace, seemed exposed constantly last season having players turning and running at them. Tactically, Koeman has been a huge success (so far).
This tenacity defensively, together with - it has to be said - the attacking fluidity impressed on the players by Martinez (tinkered no doubt by Koeman, particularly by going more direct at times) has gained Everton 7 points out of 9 in the league. Best start in a decade. A success? Conceivably.
There is an undertone of discontent at the moment because, despite the impressive nature of our performances, despite the points return, despite being able to defend a cross/corner, the summer/early season has been underwhelming. Whilst the clamour for marquee signings is understandable - to a degree - some of the best performances and league finishes have been obtained in the last 15 years without one. On top of that, Everton already have a few players who would have been marquee signing for 90% of clubs in world football. Lukaku certainly. Keeping him and adding a sprinkling of power (Bolasie) any other year would be deemed a successful window. Due to the raised expectations this summer, the success of the window may be a little more difficult to accept as such.
Once a few more games pass - winnable certainly given the opposition - perhaps blues will be singing the blues with a little more vigour, with knowledge that actually this summer and the purchases made, as well as the upwards trajectory of the club, was/were/is a resounding success.
