Carlo Ancelotti expects a “fantastic reaction” when Everton visit West Ham United on Sunday following last weekend’s defeat by Aston Villa.
Everton go to the capital six points behind their fifth-placed hosts but with a game in hand over David Moyes’ side.
Manager Ancelotti accepts pressure is heightened this weekend, with games and opportunities to climb into the Premier League’s top six fast disappearing.
The Italian pointed to recent history as reason for optimism, nonetheless, referencing Everton repeatedly delivering convincing responses to setbacks this season.
Ancelotti is boosted by the availability of Abdoulaye Doucoure following two months on the sidelines, the Frenchman’s return especially timely with his boss stating this pivotal juncture of the campaign calls for “energy and concentration”.
“Every time you have problems, you have to move forward, to give confidence to the players,” said Ancelotti.
“After a bad performance or defeat, the history of this season says... we were able to move on with a fantastic result.
“There are a lot of examples.
“When we lost at home against Fulham, one week later we won the derby.
“It was this kind of season.
“I am sure the reaction will be fantastic for the game against West Ham.
“We were really disappointed [with Aston Villa performance and result] but worked all week to prepare for this game and to have a good feeling and to try to win.
“At the end of the season, everything is more important, all the teams have their targets.
“There will be more concentration and energy, it is always the same, nothing changed.
“So, be focused and, above all, be confident.”
A win at West Ham would be Everton’s 11th away from home this season, a record in the Premier League era.
Progress has been stunted by a poorer return at Goodison Park and it is home results preventing Everton from being in the box seat when they encounter West Ham.
Stopping his team from blowing hot and cold is among Ancelotti’s priorities and will be a factor when he chooses in the transfer market this summer.
In the short-term, however, there is confidence Everton boast the tenacity and spirit to claim the points they need for European qualification.
“The games we won, we won for the fighting spirit, not the quality we were able to show,” said Ancelotti.
“We had fantastic results away because of the spirit and concentration.
“We have to manage and adapt for next season to try to avoid this inconsistency we have, only at home, because away, we were perfect.
“We have to analyse the season and put the right adjustment in the squad to avoid the limits and weaknesses we had.”
Doucoure started all bar one Premier League game – he was suspended for the win at Leicester back in December – prior to fracturing a foot during Everton’s victory over West Bromwich Albion on 4 March.
The 28-year-old’s fast start to his Everton career surprised even Ancelotti, who must do without James Rodriguez at London Stadium.
Should Doucoure be fit to feature, he will meet a West Ham side invigorated in the second half of the campaign by loan acquisition Jesse Lingard.
“Doucoure showed fantastic quality and supported the team a lot when he played,” said Ancelotti.
“It was a great surprise for us to have this kind of player.
“He put a lot of energy in midfield and to have him back for the next game is really important.
“With Doucoure, we had a fantastic results. Without him, we had more problems. He is one of our most important players.
“He was a really good signing and I hope he can show this quality in the games we have before the end.
“We don’t have a lot of possibilities [to reach Europe] but we still have [a chance].
“We want to put all our energy in this game that we can consider vital for the end of the season.
“Lingard put more ability and quality in front [for West Ham] and they were able to manage the absence of important players like [now fit striker, Michail] Antonio.
“They are having a fantastic season and all credit to David Moyes, who is doing a fantastic job.”
