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There are, broadly speaking, two types of football fan.

There's the glass half full supporter, and the glass half empty doubter.

Those pertaining to be 'realists', incidentally, belong to the latter camp. Sorry.

Anyway, like all clubs Everton have a strong mix of both among their fanbase. There are those that see only the royal blue sky, and those that spot daily rainclouds over Goodison.

Thursday night saw the two worlds collide. It won't be the last time, this or any other season.

The optimists saw Everton's Europa League win over Ruzomberok as a lesson in patience, in getting the job done in a results industry. Progression was the aim of the game, and it was achieved.

The pessimists? They saw the one-paced movement and the laboured approach play - across both legs - and began to wonder. Wonder and worry.

Suddenly, the furrowed brows are out. The holes in the squad look bigger than ever, the start to the season more difficult than a month ago. Transfers are needed, and sharpish.

Ronald Koeman agrees on that last point, stating as much after the win in Slovakia.

(Image: Branislav Racko/TASR via AP)

The Blues boss wants at least three new faces before August is out; Gylfi Sigurdsson will be followed by a centre forward and a versatile, left-sided defender. Do that, the Dutchman says, and Everton can feel very good about their squad heading into the new campaign.

Koeman is not above questioning, of course, and nor should he be. But while Royal Blue is wary of telling supporters how to follow their club, the idea of going into the seasons with anything less than a wave of optimism worries us. Don't let the clouds appear, whatever you do.

Sure, there are issues to be ironed out moving forward – the ECHO highlighted a lack of pace after the first leg against Ruzomberok, for example, and the problem was evident again this week – and there is no time to waste in a place as competitive as the Premier League. Dropped points in August or September could be the difference between success and failure come May.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

But Everton have made positive steps this summer, on and off the field. Their recruitment has been decisive and, Sigurdsson aside, swift. Three of their new signings – Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane and Davy Klaassen – impressed in Slovakia and bring new, exciting attributes to the table. Sandro Ramirez should too, although the Spaniard may require more of an adaptation period.

The Wayne Rooney deal can – and will – be debated at length we're sure, but what it has done is raise the bar in terms of profile and expectation at the club. No more 'little Everton', content with seventh and the odd rousing Goodison night; this is a club that wants to take big strides, that seeks to challenge the established order, whether now or in the not-too-distant.

Koeman's first season shows he can get things right, and his recruitment this summer suggests he knows exactly how he wants his team to play. Improving their away form has to be a priority, and explains some of the manager's thinking with regards signings – in particular his desire for a target-man style centre forward.

The Ruzomberok tie was underwhelming, but football in July and early August tends to be so - especially when your summer has involved such a significant reshuffle. Everton have added players and lost players; it will take time to strike the perfect blend.

Don't bet against Koeman finding it, though. And he'll have an even better chance of doing so with a full, rocking, positive Goodison behind him.

Keep those glasses half full.