Danny Mills believes Ronald Koeman has made Everton tighter at the back.
Danny Mills in action for Leeds
Pundit Danny Mills has told BBC Sport that he thinks Everton manager Ronald Koeman has sorted out the club’s defence with the signing of Ashley Williams.
The Toffees had dropped just two points from their first five games heading into today’s clash with Bournemouth, but their unbeaten run is now over after a defeat on the South Coast.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Junior Stanislas scored the only goal of the game to hand Bournemouth all three points, and send Everton back to Merseyside empty handed, with plenty for manager Ronald Koeman to think about.
Everton mustered just two shots on target in the game, and Koeman will still be looking for more from playmaker Ross Barkley, whilst his defence will eventually be boosted by the return of left back Leighton Baines.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman applauds the fans
As the game kicked off earlier today, former England international and current pundit Danny Mills told BBC Sport of just how impressed he has been with manager Koeman.
Mills – a former right back – suggested that Koeman has rectified Everton’s big problem under Roberto Martinez in solidifying the defence, partly be merely simplifying matters in front of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
With just four goals conceded in six games even after today’s defeat, Everton look strong at the back, and Mills also believes part of that is down to the summer signing of centre back Ashley Williams.
Middlesbrough’s Gaston Ramirez in action with Everton’s Ashley Williams
The Welshman has immediately formed a strong partnership with Phil Jagielka having joined from Swansea City, and he adds even more experience at the back with Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Baines and Seamus Coleman – something Mills thinks has helped.
“Ronald Koeman has added an air of calm,” said Mills. “He’s also simplified things at the back and sorted that out. Ashley Williams is a great signing with all his experience. That was Roberto Martinez’s major problem – at the back. You sort the defence out and all of a sudden the team start getting results,” he added.
What did you think of Everton’s defending against Bournemouth?
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