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Our survey says . . . . that Everton FC fans can be an unpredictable bunch. Or maybe they’re just a little more discerning than the average fan.

In the first of a series of regular surveys, last week the Echo asked our readers: “Who has been Everton’s most impressive new signing?”

A young striker who has captured the imagination with four goals in three matches would have been a logical, landslide choice – but Romelu Lukaku only came second.

Gareth Barry was the Blues’ fans choice in the poll with a whopping 68 per cent of the vote.

To observers who have witnessed the quiet authority Barry has brought to the Blues midfield since his arrival on-loan from Manchester City it’s perhaps not such a shock.

But the 53-cap England international was pleasantly surprised to learn of his instant acceptance by the Goodison faithful.

“It’s always hard personally to judge just how fans have taken to you – especially when a striker has come in and had an impact like that,” said Barry.

“But it’s really nice to hear something like that and hear that the fans appreciate you.

“I’m obviously thankful for it, but to me it also helps that we’ve had new signings coming in and we’ve got positive results on the back of it.

“My aim is to maintain that form, hopefully results will come with it and I can then follow that through.

“The job I do is an unspectacular one so maybe the Everton fans have the ability to look at the game a bit differently to fans at other clubs and appreciate what I do.

“But it’s great to hear that you’re being appreciated for the job you’re doing. I enjoy that sort of role.

“It doesn’t hit the headlines as much as your attacking midfielders or your strikers, but for me it’s about doing a job and if the team is successful I’m reaping the benefits of that.”

It’s not just the team who will reap the benefits from Barry’s performances.

Manager Roberto Martinez believes that young midfielders like James McCarthy and Ross Barkley will also benefit from the experience of such an authoritative individual in the same line-up.

Barry knows what is expected of him as a midfield mentor, but admits it’s not a role he is immediately accustomed to.

“It’s certainly not a natural thing for me,” he said. “I keep myself to myself. I’m quiet, but in terms of setting an example on the training ground and off the pitch, players can feed off that.

“On the pitch is where I can do my talking a bit more and talk the younger players through a game and help them, especially James who is playing alongside me. It’s not a case of pulling players to one side off the pitch but doing the right thing and them picking things up from you.

“That’s more the route I’ll be going down.”

James McCarthy already appears to be flourishing under Barry’s tutelage.

Everton’s stand-out performer against Manchester City 10 days ago, Barry added: “Any signing who’s had a bit of money spent on them is going to feel some pressure, but James has come in, wasn’t picked for the first game but didn’t get down about it.

“He came on and produced a great half-hour on his debut. He was put in the team from that and his confidence has grown and grown. Even though it was a defeat at Manchester City his performance was really encouraging in a big stadium against a great team.

“But he showed a lot of people what he could so.”

McCarthy and Barry will both hope to continue that form when Hull City visit Goodison on Saturday.

It’s only the Blues’ seventh Premier League match of a stop-start campaign so far, but after previous home games kicking off at 8pm on a Monday and 5.30pm on a Saturday night, Sylvain Distin is delighted to finally get back to a traditional 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off.

Distin explained “I don’t know why I like that 3pm kick-off time. It’s just a matter of habit.

“We always play at 3 o clock. I don’t really like it when we play earlier or later. It helps with my own habits. When I wake up, when I eat, when I do this or when I do that. I just like it.

“I think it’s not just players, it’s the same for fans too.

“Everyone has their own routine and their own habits – things they like to do before the games and it all changes when the matches are earlier or later.

“It’s another big game for us this Saturday but I keep saying there is no game more important than any other.

“They’re all just as important and we want to do very well at home so we have to catch up after the defeat at City.”