Sometimes in life and football you get more than you deserve. Today we got less but it’s all about scoring and not making mistakes, like the second goal.
The team was much better than last Thursday but we were still afraid how we started the game. They did not press like I wanted but after United’s great goal we did and improved. You do not maybe create six chances against United but we created two - Rooney and Gylfi, and De Gea saved United at that time.
Okay, we did some subs, not because they did not play well because Gana was one of the best players and Davies did well, but to bring Dominic in and Sandro in, because I felt really from the touchline there something possible because I was so impressed with United. Perhaps that is strange after a 4-0 but they were really clinical. But okay, that is football.
You can support the players and give them confidence, but still we started afraid. Maybe it’s normal if you play in a difficult start of the season, but in my opinion, the fixtures - and we knew - we wouldn’t win all of them against the four teams - City, United and Chelsea away, and Tottenham at home. In my opinion, four title contenders, with Europa League on the Thursday.
Okay, it is possible to win but it is possible to lose. But that is football. Until the next international break we have four games at home. We need to win. If we don’t win it is better to stop.
I saw a reaction in the team today. It is difficult with the final result but it wasn’t like one team on the pitch. We spoke Friday and this morning, of course results are the most important. Some people do not care how to win but I am a little bit different. I saw a desire, a togetherness, and more aggression on the pitch.
Every manager in life has doubts. There is no one who has no doubts in life or football as a manager. If you don’t win, and you have a big number of players, then there is doubts with how you have to start the system to play. That’s normal. Of course I ask myself the question why, but if Mkhitaryan has a year to adapt to the league, then maybe I give the eight players one year to adapt?
It was nice, in the programme I saw my colleague (Mourinho) say Everton are spending £140m and must go for the top four.
I am sorry, if there is anyone in this room or out who sees that is realistic, please come on. Be realistic. And let’s talk at the end of the season.
I am not happy how we start the season, but please a little bit realistic about this Everton. It starts with everybody, fans, press - we do need time. But it’s difficult in football.
[What’s realistic?] The same as last season at least.
If you don’t like the pressure, please stop. That is for players and the manager. We need points, we need a win, because a win is the best for confidence.
But if we take positives from today and get the win then I have the belief we will grown and come strong, but I am realistic in what we achieve.
[On Rooney].
He was very good, he was clever, we need more players like that.
He lost maybe two or three balls on the field, that’s not like Wayne, but overall his performance was really good.
He was tired. Dunc on the bench, we spoke and he knows Wayne well, and said ‘he’s done’, so we had to bring fresh players in.
[ON WALSH/TRANSFERS]
We have Steve in the club for the long term. Of course we like to improve in what we need.
But not now. I am not busy with January. I am busy to turnaround what happens at the moment.
In January we will see what happens.
