Gareth Barry has candidly admitted Everton's squad were guilty of letting their standards unravel last season as he explained how Ronald Koeman has transformed their fortunes.
Everton will move into second place should they beat Middlesbrough tonight in what will be a landmark game for Barry. He will become only the third man to make 600 Premier League appearances; Ryan Giggs (632) and Frank Lampard (609) are the others.
Barry has been a key factor in the best start Everton have made to a season since 2006/07 but, while the mood is good at Goodison Park, he has not forgotten the dreadful way results tailed off in the spring before Roberto Martinez was sacked.