Frank Lampard says his squad showing “proactive belief” will be key to Everton recording a crucial victory over Newcastle United on Thursday and sparking a positive series of results until the end of the season.

Lampard also stressed the importance of Everton performing with an intensity and quality which “engages the fans” as the Blues prepare for the Goodison Park showdown.

Everton currently sit one place above the Premier League bottom three, and a win against Newcastle would take the Toffees three points clear of 18th-placed Watford, with two games in hand on the Hornets.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm on Wednesday, Lampard said: “We need results and that will change the face of everything. 

“The biggest thing is to absolutely stay with a belief we can do that. I’m not asking for casual belief, I’m talking about a proactive belief.

“For us, it’s not about having fear about what might be – it’s what we can action and what can we deal with.

“We can deal with these 12 Premier League games in front of us. 

“Things can change very quickly. It can change on a not-so-good performance that gets you three points and that feeling of a boost. 

“Our focus has to be on what can we do with these 12 games to get us where we want to be.”

Lampard’s first game as Everton manager saw the Blues sweep aside Brentford 4-1 in an FA Cup clash, before he oversaw a barnstorming 3-0 victory over Leeds United in his maiden Premier League match in the Goodison dugout.

Those victories were contested in front of rousing atmospheres and Lampard says Everton must strive to replicate the aggression and purpose displayed on both occasions when Newcastle visit L4.

“The players have to perform at a level and with a passion that engages the fans,” he said.

“I’m expecting everyone [players and fans] to be together, fighting. We have 12 games left and every one of those is massive. 

“We want to start the game well and engage the fans, because when we do that they are absolutely with us and we are a force.

“We have to try to start with the right intensity. I think, generally, since I’ve been here, we have done that. 

“It’s about making it count when you’re on top – both in the opposition box and making sure we are defensively sound. That goes for the 90 minutes but starting well is very important. 

“We saw that against Leeds. We started really, really well, aggressively, and we got our goal. That changed the face of the game.”

Lampard also discussed how he is approaching improving Everton’s performance levels in his day-to-day work at Finch Farm.

“As a manager, in tough times, your role is to support the players, give them confidence and show them the way,” he added.

“I came into a club that was in a downwards trajectory and we were heading towards the relegation zone. Those things don’t change overnight. 

“They also don’t change with just talking – more than that, it’s how you tackle the situation that’s in front of you. 

“The first thing is the practical side, through training and focus. The way you train on Tuesday morning will be relative you how you could perform on matchday.

“There are things you can affect short-term and there’s an idea where you want to be longer-term. My job is to prioritise the things that are the most important.

“Our play in both penalty boxes is really important. Individually, we have to get that right and collectively we have to work on that as well.”

The Everton manager revealed Dominic Calvert-Lewin will continue to be assessed ahead of the Newcastle game after he missed Sunday’s match against Wolves through illness.

Lampard outlined how he has been impressed by the determination the striker has shown in his bid regain optimum fitness after a season heavily disrupted through injury.

“Dominic is a top player and a really good lad,” Lampard said.

“He wants to do the right things, he wants to play and get back to the form he has been in over the past couple of seasons, where he was prolific in the Premier League.

“It’s not easy with the injuries he’s had this season – he’s come back [to full fitness] and then suffered another injury. 

“The main thing with Dominic is to help him because he wants to do it [play regularly], and also practically on the pitch because now he needs to get fitter and stronger. 

“The way we want to play, with what we demand from a striker, is a lot. 

“It’s not just goals, it’s everything with and without the ball. He’ll need that period of time to get fully fit, but we haven’t got lots of time. We need him soon.”