In an evertonfc.com column, Allan opens up on the strong connection he has formed with the Club and Evertonians, outlines the key elements the squad have working to improve in training, and pays tribute to boss Rafa Benitez's tactical acumen...

I have been at Everton for just over a year and it's been a fantastic experience, even better than I'd hoped or expected it to be. 

Last season it was a pity that I didn't get the chance to play in front of the fans but this season I've had the opportunity to play at a full Goodison Park. 

The supporters are incredible. What I've been through so far has been wonderful, not just in terms of football but in terms of my family, living in Liverpool and being here at Everton. 

I hope to remain here many years and make my name at this club, as it's a fantastic place to be.

We return to the Premier League on Monday and we have really had this desire to be back playing as soon as possible – but with a much better performance than the previous game. 

Wolves are on a good run. They are a team that like to play with the ball and have strong, quick players who are very suited to playing on the counter-attack.

We have been working very hard this week to improve. For example, when we go ahead in a game and are looking to get a positive result, we need to focus on the opposition's challenges we face and work hard, knowing we will be up against a lot of difficult situations. 

It's about our mentality and we need to think positively, to believe in our work and our plan, and we can't be taken by surprise, like in the last game where we conceded four goals in the last 15 minutes. 

We need to approach the game intelligently together as a team, following Rafa's instructions to have a great game and get the three points.

Rafa is a great coach. He has won a lot and has had a spectacular career. 

His impact has generated a lot of enthusiasm among us players. We started the season really well but, unfortunately, we have had two ‘accidents' [the defeats to West Ham and Watford] along the path. 

We now need to work hard and follow Rafa's directions to get over this spell we are having. 

I believe Rafa's experience, together with the players and the hard work we put in, means we will have a good season.

The manager has added a lot. Sometimes he talks to all of us in the midfield to give guidance and sometimes he takes two or three players to one side to give some points on movement and what he wants to put in place. 

We have tremendous potential to be fighting for the top positions in the league.

As a group, we showed at the start of the season what we can do. We've obviously had difficulties with this series of injuries but we have very good, experienced players.

I believe we have the potential to go in as equals, toe-to-toe, with all the top teams. 

We must take our opportunity on Monday against Wolves, put the previous result behind us, and turn over a new page.