Saturday 17 January 2015 15:56, UK
Everton boss Roberto Martinez says his struggling side desperately need a victory - any kind of victory - to kick-start their season.
After four straight defeats, which came at the back-end of a sequence of just one victory in nine games, the Toffees have managed to halt the slide.
Back-to-back 1-1 draws, including against defending champions Manchester City, were followed this week by an FA Cup exit on penalties to West Ham having been reduced to 10 men in the second half.
The Toffees take on West Brom on Monday night, live on Sky, and Martinez is desperate for a win, as – with no cup action – their next change will not come until January 31.
"It is important to get a win because that confidence you get with good results you can't get anywhere else," he said.
"The character shown in coming back against Manchester City was terrific and the work-rate we have shown in the last two performances, especially being down to 10 men, shows the personality and character we have in the group.
"Now it is about getting the confidence at a better level to get that win which would give us a real kick for the second half of the season.
"The signs from the group, they are very good. Looking at the players who are going to come back soon it will be well timed.
"We have nine games left at home and our agenda is to be perfect in every game at Goodison.
"We were perfect against Manchester City and we expect to carry that on against West Brom.
"It is a game we really want to perform well in and start the period we have in front of us in a good way."
Everton's defence and a high number of individual errors have contributed to them languishing in mid-table.
Already they have conceded 34 times in league action, having let in just 39 on their way to fifth place last season.
However, Martinez insists it would be wrong to focus on what is going on at the back at the expense of all else.
"The priority is winning games. We are not a team who rely on keeping clean sheets to win," he added.
"It helps when you defend well and you don't give too many goals away because it becomes easier.
"But the character we have shown in the last two performances has given us a perfect platform to build on in the second half of the season.
"In every aspect, not just defending, is a moment to look forward to the games we have left in the league and making sure we are as strong as we can be in the Europa League.
"We have to be good as we can in every department, not just improve one thing.”
Watch Everton v WBA live on Sky Sports 1 on Monday night, kick-off at 8pm.
