Koeman insists he is the right man to guide Everton out of trouble

Ronald Koeman remains defiant and is confident of changing Everton’s fortunes despite their alarming slump in form.

The Toffees’ 2-1 defeat to Lyon on Thursday was their sixth loss in 10 matches in all competitions.

The result means Everton are unlikely to qualify from their Europa League group despite having three more games to play.

There is little cause for comfort back in the league either, with Everton winning just two of their opening eight matches to slump to 16th place.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s visit of Arsenal, Koeman insists he is solely focused on trying to turn the situation around:

“I think of course we’re disappointed about the result. We know we need to fight in difficult situations. We showed that fight yesterday.

“Finally we get the luck on our side and that’s the only way to come out of this side.

“We had a really good second half but we need to realise we’re making several mistakes.

“We don’t have time to train and recover and prepare for the next game.

“We don’t have enough options for the defenders to play short. If you analyse the game yesterday, all the chances from Lyon came from mistakes from us at the back, losing balls in midfield and we need to change that.

“We don’t have confidence just now.”

When asked on whether he still retained the support of the board Koeman admitted they were concerned but insists they were still backing him.

“That has not changed. We have daily and weekly contact but everybody is of course a little bit worried but that’s normal.

“I think if we look back to last season we had some great games at home to the Premier League’s big teams. So why not against Arsenal. They are not unbeatable. We know we need to improve and we have a good chance to win the game. It is a great game to play.”

While Koeman has bore the brunt of the criticism for Everton’s poor form there also have been some questions raised over the club’s recruitment over the summer.

A failure to properly replace Romelu Lukaku is already looking to be a diasterous mistake, but Koeman says there is no time to moan about it with two months still to go before the transfer window reopens.

“I don’t think it’s time to talk. We need to take the situation as it is and prepare the team for Sunday. We can speak about tough fixtures and Europa football but our position is not were Everton needs to stay. We need to change that. I still believe in these players and the signings we had.

“Everybody can have a doubt about them but the future will prove they were good signings.

“[Losing Lukaku] is maybe one of the reasons. Everyone knows we failed to sign a striker, at least a target man.

“We have Calvert-Lewin but he is young and you can’t expect that all season. We brought Niasse and Sandro in but they are different players.

“I hate to lose and I am still the man, we fight for everything to turn this around.

Koeman also intimated that he was aware of the supporters’ mood given his active involvement on social media, but the Dutchman refused to criticise the fans.

“Of course, the pressure is on the manager. I watch television and I am on social media. That’s normal.

“I don’t step back, that’s football. It’s about winning.

“I think it is always good to know what is happening around the club. OK I make that decision to be part of social media.

“It’s about updates from the game before and after. But not about my private life or speculation from press about my job. Everybody has an opinion and I respect that.”