Monday September 1st, 11pm the window slammed shut and most of us Evertonians were left feeling a little confused.

The news that David Hennan a player that had been with the club all summer, had joined Olympiakos it was a strange one and the news that Tom Cleverley a player Martinez rates highly wasn’t to join as a deal couldn’t be agreed. Since then we have learnt Hennan has joined on a last minute loan deal, I’m sure explanations on why this is the case will come in the coming days.

What most wanted tho was a centre back, a strong and commanding one, I myself would of liked to have seen that, just someone extra in there to put more pressure on our normal two Jags and Distin. The start to the season for them hasn’t been the greatest, for me during the summer a centre back wasn’t a priority, I will be honest it wasn’t. Lukaku and Barry returning were of more vast importance and for me getting a top class centre back was something i thought we would do/need to do next summer to replace the ageing Distin.

Since that bizarre freak game against Chelsea the calls for a defender and the sea of panic has set in amongst some Evertonians, after last nights window closed the amount of ridiculous and over the top shouts from some were something i thought we wouldn’t see again, especially under Martinez. Jags and Distin have both been poor, without a doubt the 1st three games they have, Jags especially looks out of sorts but like Martinez im not going to cast them of just yet. It was only a few months ago that we ended last season at Hull with a 2-0 win, and ended the season with the 3rd best defensive record in the toughest league in the world, 39 goals conceded and a brilliant 1st season for the new exciting manager.

Chelsea will always be a freak game for me, there was terrible defending yes but not all down to Jags and Distin, Barry and McCarthy haven’t exactly been on tip top form either in protecting our back four, also some of our leaked goals have came for miss controlled balls from Lukaku and silly errors in midfield which have led to break away goals. I have complete faith that we will get this right, they don’t turn into terrible players over 3 games, John Stones is an option as well and a very good one at that, young or not he proved last season he could handle the pressure with ease when called upon. Changing the system is something as well we could see, but my overall opinion is half the team over these first three games have been unfit, leggy and out of form. On Saturday we seen half of our play get some form back as going forward we were as good as we have ever been, but as a side collectively we are not defending properly and the silly individual errors are costing us, like the miss controlled balls the silly passes the slips etc.

This article is now sounding a bit doom and gloom but its not what I wanted it to be, I am fully confident in our manager and the experienced players we have to get this right. We have a huge September coming up the more games the better is the way I see it now, the more sharper we will be and we will rediscover our form as a defensive unit collectively and individually. This has been one of the best transfer windows we’ve ever had, new extensions for the gaffer, Coleman, Howard, Barkley, Baines, Stones and the permanent signings of Barry and Lukaku on top of the arrivals off, Atsu, Besic, Eto’o Galloway, Hennan.

Most of us expected no Lukaku maybe even no Barry, and possibly a Barkley or Coleman to leave, we should be feeling optimistic I think we’ve got a good squad, we have have 2 players for every position, more in some cases, Oviedo, Gibson and Kone are all training and should be fully fit for the busy September schedule, and we have Europe to look forward to, with some great ties and some class trips for our fans to go to.

I fully expect come November time all the fears and worries will be gone, we will be flying high at the right end of the league, we will have qualified for the next stage of the Europa league too, my guess is well smash it and win our 1st 3 games and we can then sit back and relax and even experiment with a few kids knocking on the 1st team door, why am i this optimistic? I’m this optimistic because we have the best manager in the league, we have a young exciting side mixed with experience, we will have Ross Barkley back, we have various options in attack and midfield, and we are flexible enough to play many different systems. We have played 3 games so far, and yes we are rocky defensively very rocky, but like I say I believe the form will be rediscovered the more games we play, we will batter most sides home and away, our attacking play is as good as any, do we have a better attack than Arsenal and Spurs? I believe we do, do we have a better defence than Utd and Spurs? again I believe we do, the players and manager don’t turn bad over night, lets get behind them and enjoy this season because I think its gonna be a cracker!

West Brom is were we start the winning run, have faith in our brilliant manager and his philosophy I believe in it and I can’t wait for the next game. Now the window is shut it really is all about getting down to work and getting on with the season, were all going on a European tour! bring it on, COYB!! IMWT!! ETID!!

Stephen Leary,

follow me on twitter @MrandMrsEverton