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Baines: It takes time

Cape Town - Speaking ahead of their match against Southampton on Sunday, Everton fullback Leighton Baines admits the squad will need time to adapt to the coaching style of manager Ronald Koeman.

The Dutchman was appointed in June to replace Roberto Martinez, who was fired after a poor showing in the 2015/16 season.

Their was a keen sense of intrigue around his appointment after the good work he had done with the Saints last season and the Toffees began the new campaign well with four wins in their first five league games leading to suggestions the Merseyside outfit maybe be outside contenders for a Champions League place.

However, they have won just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures to drop down to seventh on the table.

While Baines is adamant the club will challenge for a place in the top four this season, but warned fans it will be a process of adaptation.

"We were all impressed when he [Koeman] first came in and we made a good start," he told Soccer Saturday. "It was just a case of him reinstalling the fundamentals and the things we had come away from.

"But it's not a quick fix. It takes time when a new manager comes in to get the side doing everything he wants them to do.

"We brought some new players in as well so we feel like we're on a good path and we've got it all still to play for.

"We're excited about what's to come and beyond that, the manager and the new owner, the club is in a really exciting position at the moment.

 "We enjoy being a part of those games, the European nights. That's what we will strive for now."

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