International breaks can be draining at the best of times. Even on the back of a 5-0 mauling at Chelsea amid a recent slump, the return of domestic football is most welcome as Everton try to bounce back against Swansea on Saturday.
A player talking out of turn usually livens up the international tedium. On this occasion, it was manager Ronald Koeman attracting attention during the domestic lull, be it a spat with Republic of Ireland management over James McCarthy's availability, thoughts on neighbours Liverpool's title chances or stark words on Romelu Lukaku's potential and future.
Koeman is an honest, straight-talking departure from the bright-eyed positivity prominent under Roberto Martinez, although perhaps too frank for some.