After two consecutive bottom-half finishes under Roberto Martinez, Everton fans were understandably excited about the introduction of Ronald Koeman as manager.
Under the Spaniard, the Toffees had finished 11th two seasons in a row, a far cry from their fifth-place finish in 2013/14, and were showing no signs of progression.
With Koeman in charge, and a fresh injection of cash, Everton fans were once again dreaming of challenging for the European places.
After seven games, they are currently in fifth and have looked likely to stay near the top as the season unfolds.
The Dutchman came to Everton with a stellar reputation after guiding Southampton to 7th and 6th place in two seasons in charge despite losing a number of key players.
Koeman has brought in a few new faces who seem to have hit the ground running and sorted out one or two problems during the Martinez reign.
So is the future bright for Everton? Here are some thoughts all Everton fans have had at some point this season…
NEW SIGNINGS JUST WHAT TOFFEES NEEDED
When it was announced Iranian businessman Farhad Moshiri had bought a 49.9% stake in the club, Everton fans got very excited about the names the club could now attract.
Having been relatively frugal in previous years and resigned to losing their best assets, the Toffees could now attract names of the highest calibre.
So far however, Koeman has opted to only spend when necessary, and to only buy what they club needs.
New signings Ashley Williams, Maarten Stekelenburg and Idrissa Gana Gueye have immediately come in and played well, while Yannick Bolasie will be an exciting prospect should he work on his end product.
KOEMAN WILL SORT THE DEFENCE
Under Martinez, Everton’s biggest problem was defenCe.
The Spaniard was praised during most off his spell at Goodison Park for bringing in attractive, attacking play after many solid but unspectacular seasons under Moyes. It came at a cost however, with Everton losing the resilient defense the Scot had built.
A good tactician and legendary defender in himself, many Everton fans were hoping Koeman’s introduction would return some of this defensive resolve without sacrificing goals.
So far this season Everton have found the net 11 times and conceded only seven, suggesting that things are improving.
THE DEADWOOD WILL SOON BE GONE
As well as a dodgy defence, Koeman also inherited a number of players who are arguably not good enough for the club.
James McCarthy, one of the better performers in Martinez’s reign, has been made surplus to requirements and will apparently be available for £15m in January.
Toffees fans will be glad to see the squad being thinned, with many hoping to see players like Arouna Kone, Darren Gibson, Oumar Niasse and a few others shown the door.
TOP CLUBS WILL BE LOOKING AT KOEMAN
Having seen Southampton finish above them two seasons in a row, Everton arguably pulled off a bit of a coup bringing Koeman to the club.
The Dutchman clearly sees the potential to build something at Everton, but there is a caveat for Toffees fans.
If Koeman does make Everton into European challengers again and (whisper it quietly) possibly even title contenders, he will surely be a target for the top clubs.
The ex-Barcelona defender has made no secret he’d like to manage the Catalan side one day, while Arsenal may see him as a replacement for Wenger.
If reports are to be believed however, Koeman is now one of the top 10 highest paid managers in football and has a huge transfer kitty, which may be enough to keep him at Goodison Park.
