Barry urging patience from Everton faithful

Gareth Barry is pleading for Everton fans to show patience this season and allow Ronald Koeman time to turn the Toffees into a force to be reckoned with.

Everton started this season full of hope with Koeman coming in to take the reins from Roberto Martinez and arriving having done wonders with a Southampton squad that was constantly losing its best players.

What’s more, earlier in the year Everton were able to celebrate a new owner with Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri becoming the majority shareholder.

However, that excitement has failed to carry over onto the pitch with Everton, despite sitting seventh, ten points off a European place for next season.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Gareth Barry of Everton scores his sides first goal on his 600th preimer leauge apperance during the Premier League match between Everton and Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on September 17, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

But having witnessed a major takeover while at Man City, midfielder Barry is not about the hit the panic button any time soon and believes Koeman has what it takes to turn the Toffees’ fortunes around.

“Ultimately I think everyone needs to be slightly patient with this season with a new manager, new takeover,” said Barry.

“It is going to need time to assess everything, the squad and the players, and having experienced it at Man City the first couple of years of a new manager and takeover does take time.

“So give everyone a chance, certainly the manager, to get his eye in and go from there as I’m sure the new owner seems really keen and he is desperate for Everton to achieve something.

“Everything is straight forward [with Koeman] and he is open and honest to everybody.

“You know exactly where you are in the changing room and in a game and if he is not happy with something then he will tell you.

“It is all planned out so players know exactly where they are and I think it is a good thing.”