Ronald Koeman’s influence at the blues has been massive from day one.
Nine months in the hot-seat at Goodison Park and this impressive and formidable man has made it clear – only the best will do.
The Dutchman won 19 trophies as a player with clubs including Barcelona, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven and he has brought that winning mentality to his managerial career – he’s an absolute perfectionist.
A goal brings just a glimmer of approval but that defensive slip seconds earlier ensures his face returns to a frown and the fume continues. 1-0 up but not good enough.
4-0 it was against Hull but Koeman makes no bones about it, it wasn’t the best display and while he will take the points, not the performance. He wants more.
A true advocate of Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Massive credit goes out to RK for reigniting the indescribable tingling feeling of getting down to Goodison Park for a match day.
The misery of the vast majority of blues in the 14/15 and 15/16 seasons under the previous management made the top of Spellow Lane an utterly grim place to be.
A measly four, yes FOUR, home league wins at Goodison between the 3-0 demolishing of Manchester United on April 26, 2015 and the 2-1 win over Bournemouth on April 30 last year was criminal.
But that’s a distant memory with Koeman at the helm, 10 wins in 15 Premier League games in L4 since his arrival from Southampton has given fans many reasons to be cheerful.
A huge positive is The Toffees putting away poor sides at home, something they had struggled with in years gone by.
No plan B created a real nervousness around the crowd which percolated down to the players resulting in sides making Goodison, a once fortress, a soft touch.
How times have changed, previous beneficiaries Sunderland, West Brom and Hull found their visits pointless, literally.
Beating these sides are the least a club like Everton should expect, especially at the Grand Old Lady, but the overall improvement and the impetus of new blood in royal blue is exciting and heart-warming.
With Ronald Koeman at the helm, great times are ahead – and home, sweet home has certainly become that.