Duncan Ferguson is keen to press the reset button on Everton’s campaign – and the caretaker manager is set to start from ground zero by shaking up his side for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.

The Club’s totemic former centre-forward was appointed boss for Everton’s “upcoming games” this week.

Ferguson, embarking on his second temporary spell in charge following a breathless four-match spell at the helm in 2019/20, is striking a careful balance on the training field.

The entire squad, disclosed Ferguson – who noted Farhad Moshiri’s “total commitment” to the Club following news on Friday of a fresh £100m capital injection from the Majority Shareholder – have been reminded “what’s needed from an Everton player” after a poor run of results.

Equally, Ferguson isn’t interested in raking over old coals. The meeting with Villa represents the beginning of the second half of Everton’s season and, in the opinion of Ferguson, a chance to transfer promising training-ground form into the competitive arena.

“They [players] are determined to show their true colours, they were on the floor, if you continue getting bad results, it is very difficult to turn around,” said Ferguson, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We have tried to get the confidence into them, told them a few home truths and tried to get a reaction out of them.

“I don’t want to go back [to results over past three months]… that’s in the past. I want to leave that and look to the future.

“The players look upbeat, I have pushed them as hard as I can, the main thing for me is to keep that intensity

“On the training ground, they looked good – but that’s on the training ground.

“Let’s hope they can do it in a game, which is where it counts.

“If you are on a losing run, like we have been, you have to make changes. It’s not been working.

“I will consider things tonight and name a team in the morning.”

Ferguson stressed the short-term nature of his remit, caveating an acknowledgment over his dreams of filling the position in future with an assertion that, for now, “I’ve not quite got that experience”.

Everton, vowed Ferguson, would be canvassing “the best managers in the world”. Asked about the ideal fit for the role, the succinct answer was in the image of the straightforward Scot.

“We need a winning manager,” declared Ferguson. “A manager who can come to the Club and win games and build something and get us back up the league.”

Ferguson will start the task of improving Everton’s position with a game against upwardly mobile Villa.

He began the week by speaking plainly to his players, before turning to the tactical intricacies likely to unfold on the pitch this weekend.

“[I told the squad] what’s needed from an Everton player and what the fans demand,” said Ferguson.

“That’s what I am drumming into them.

“They need to show the fans what they are all about and show the fight and determination to get results.

“The supporters are incredibly important to us, they are the blood of the Club.

“We are here for them and we need them with us.

“I am asking them to stick with the team for 90 minutes and I am sure the players will respond.

“Aston Villa are a very good team, Steven [Gerrard, manager] is doing very well.

“They have a high intensity and three good strikers they look to play off.

“It is going to be a difficult game and I will make sure we are defensively aware and stop the counter-attacks.”

Ferguson’s previous experience in the post is coming in handy, he revealed. So too, the clear week to prepare.

“I’ve had more thinking time and know what's to come and am more relaxed about it,” he said, adding his appreciation for the “full backing” of Mr Moshiri, whose stake in the Club increased to 94.1% following this week’s cash investment.

“The owner has put in an incredible amount of money, what backing he’s given the Club,” said Ferguson.

“And we have the new stadium coming

“He’s shown total commitment to the Club and we are very lucky to have him.”