From the outside, Everton's transfer strategy during last summer's window appeared confused at best and foolish at worst.
Ronald Koeman and director of football, Steve Walsh, splashed out £140million and welcomed eight new players into the first-team squad. Less than two months after deadline day, the Dutchman had been sacked.
When Koeman was given the boot, Everton were struggling at both ends of the pitch - toothless up-front and spineless at the back.
New boys Davy Klaassen, a £23m buy from Ajax, and Sandro Ramirez, who shone in La Liga last term, had both failed to impress and could barely make the squad, let alone the starting XI.