Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Connor O'Neill (City centre): Undroppable Davies has thrown a spanner in the works

The Ronald Koeman era is finally alive and kicking with the evidence of improvement clear for all to see.

Our recent form has been fantastic with the team seemingly getting better and better each week.

Saturday's win just epitomised the improvement. While it wasn’t as comprehensive as the City win, we showed different aspects to our game that have long been missing.

One aspect that can’t be knocked is Ronald Koeman’s ability to change his tactics to improve.

Roberto Martinez was set in his ways and his failure to change and adapt ultimately cost him his job.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Koeman has shown he is a class above with his ability to change and adapt now paying dividends.

While we may have nothing to play at this moment in time, the upturn in form and emergence of Mason Holgate and Tom Davies are certainly signs that things are taking a turn for the better.

An Everton manager having a headache over his team selection is a sentence very rarely spoken. But, that is exactly what Ronald Koeman has got, especially when it comes to his midfield.

The emergence of Tom Davies, who right now this minute is in my eyes is undroppable, has certainly thrown a spanner into the works too. His all-around play has been to use a word from Roberto “phenomenal” and we have certainly looked a different side with him in the midfield.

There is also Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and the soon to be returning of Idrissa Gueye. Add to that the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin, who at £22 million must be a starter, especially after the fuss Koeman made over getting the signing over the line.

Competition for places is going be fierce, with there no doubt be some fallout. I would personally opt for Schneiderlin flanked by Davies and Gueye with Barkley behind Lukaku.

But one thing is for sure, though, I wouldn’t envy being Ronald Koeman at this moment in time. As he is heading for a headache.

Lee Molton (St Helens): A couple more new players would be great

Another Blues win – 2017 has been a very good year so far.

It was a hard fought win but we had enough chances and deserved to win the game. The defence played well and kept Palace at bay. There is nothing quite like a late goal.

The new formation of three at the back is working well but Romelu Lukaku needs more support up front though.

I hope the players are hurting as much as the fans this weekend – the FA Cup still holds a great place in Evertonian hearts and we would love to go back to Wembley and win it.

The window shuts next week and a couple more new players would be great. There is good competition in midfield now with Schneiderlin and Tom Davies coming in while Lookman looks a great prospect too but we need another striker to add to Lukaku’s goals.

We have got a tough away game at Stoke coming up next, but it is winnable and we can keep this great run going to keep putting pressure on Manchester United in our race for a top six finish.

Terry McAllister (Walton): How many times have you seen Geri do the exact same thing?

What to make of the curious case of Gerard Deulofeu?

The former Barcelona wonder-kid arrived to fanfare at the start of last season as Evertonians rolled out the welcome banners (literally).

Eight assists before Christmas and things looked great as a partnership was beginning to develop between him and Romelu Lukaku. That was as good as it was going to get.

After falling out of favour under Roberto Martinez things briefly looked back on track last summer. New era, the number 7 shirt and a new manager declaring that he saw the player as a striker whose creativity was being wasted out wide.

Fast forward to now and he's not even on our bench and being farmed out to AC Milan (imagine that) on loan to get some game time.

Everyone can see where the problem is. How many times have you seen Geri do the exact same thing in a match? Receive the ball, stop, look at the full back and try and beat him in a standing race down the line.

It never works as few players can beat a marker with a two yard head start and he certainly isn't strong enough to muscle past them.

His unwillingness to adapt his game is where he has fallen foul of the manager who prizes physical toughness and work ethic above all else.

This doesn't have to be the end at Everton for the Spaniard. He needs to learn during his time away that if he doesn't knuckle down then a career at the top of the game is going to pass him by as he spends the rest of it bouncing around different clubs.