If the past week has taught Everton's players one thing, it is that repairing relations with their supporters will be an arduous process. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, at least, appears to be getting the message.
The striker has acknowledged that the scars of a pathetic FA Cup surrender to a Liverpool reserve side eight days ago will not heal easily. That was made clear by a muted atmosphere at Goodison as Everton responded with a committed display to beat Brighton on Saturday.
'I can understand the fans' frustration when we are not performing and hitting the heights that they expect us to hit,' Calvert-Lewin said.