Ronald Koeman insists Everton players are behind him despite latest defeat

By Gerard Brand

Ronald Koeman insists it is not too late for him to turn Everton's form around

Ronald Koeman feels the Everton players are behind him despite Sunday's 5-2 defeat by Arsenal leaving them in the relegation zone.

Everton took the lead against the Gunners at Goodison Park, but succumbed after the break as Arsenal ran riot against a side lacking in confidence.

Everton have won just two of their first nine Premier League games, and despite questions surrounding the Dutchman's future, Koeman says he feels the players believe in him.

Image: Arsenal hit Everton for five on Super Sunday

He told Sky Sports: "That's the feeling that I have [players back me] but I don't know. With every manager working with 28-29 players you cannot work with all of them being happy but there's still enough understanding. That's my opinion but I don't know.

"We played nine Premier League games. We played against the first five of the Premier League last season and this is not a good position for Everton.

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"I've been working in football for a long time so I know what can happen. First of all, I don't think it's too late."

Graeme Souness and Thierry Henry believe time is almost up for Koeman at Everton

Koeman, who saw Idrissa Gueye sent off for a second yellow card midway through the second half, said his side were still firmly in the game at 2-1 down.

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But the Everton boss says the decision on his future is out of his hands, and does not know if this result will cost him his job.

"I don't know. I told the players I believe in them, their commitment. If you are negative thinking and everything is doing that at this moment, I can understand it. It's a final result that is really poor but once again all these kind of decisions are not in my hands.

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"The final result is really very disappointing. Until 1-2 we stayed in the game. Arsenal were the better team and had the better chances but still by 1-2 you can get one point out of this but after the sending off of Gana it's difficult. They have the qualities to break you down. That's really disappointing.

"It's not the time to start to be crazy because I am responsible for this team. We lost 5-2 today. It's a big result even against teams like Arsenal so OK, we see what will happen."

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