Good evening,

We are all aware of the importance of tonight’s match. Every one of our final 12 league games is huge because they will determine whether we achieve our objective of staying in the Premier League.

I said back when I joined that we’d always have an eye on the long-term ambitions. That’s not changed in any way – but the wider goal involves us competing in this division.

The outcome tonight won’t conclusively settle anything. We won’t be clear of danger, with everything fixed, if we win. Equally, no standalone result decides your fate at the end of the season.

But we must give ourselves the best chance of taking three points against a Newcastle side that is high on confidence and has a real clarity and purpose in its approach.

We were unfortunate in a sense to lose Sunday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The first-half performance featured some positive aspects. Wolves are hard to break down, compact right through the spine of the team, but we created the majority of openings and limited them to very few chances.

We weren’t clinical enough in the attacking third to take advantage of our good play, though, and it is vital we begin to capitalise when we’re on top in games. The need for a cutting edge is a matter for the whole team to address, no different from defensive aspects of the game, and we are working hard collectively to find a solution.

It is imperative we stick together, retain a strong mentality and work and dig in for each other.

The players need an appetite for the fight and I see that in them every day.

I keep returning to the issue of confidence, though, and that’s because it’s the attribute hit hardest when you’re having a rough time.

My staff and I came when the team hadn’t been winning and certain habits were ingrained.

I understand, therefore, why the players find it difficult to recover from setbacks. The feeling on the pitch completely changed after Wolves scored.

That situation cannot endure, football dishes out knocks all the time and you need the strength of mind to accept the blows and try to land a few of your own in response.

Scoring first in the match would have given us momentum and a mental lift but we paid for missing a bit of quality in key moments. I will reiterate, the players gave everything, and when the effort and desire are there you have a base to work from.

Ben and Demarai coming back is a boost for the whole group. I thought Ben did very well, he was comfortable adapting to our in-game changes and physical and assertive from the first whistle.

Demarai is an explosive player, so we need to be patient while he reaches his top level. Wolves are a tough proposition for a forward at the best of times, but he kept trying to make things happen and played with the right attitude.

I’m a huge admirer of Demarai, he’s a fantastic talent, a nightmare for defenders when he’s at full tilt and a player capable of match-winning contributions.

I know you were enormously disappointed at full-time on Sunday. Not only do I understand your frustration, I accept and embrace it. The depth of your feeling for our team creates an intense atmosphere that inspires and energises us. We benefit from how much you care about Everton, so we look forward to you getting behind the team again tonight as you’ve already shown in the short time that I’ve been at the Club what an impact you can have.

We welcome Eddie Howe and the staff and players of Newcastle United.

There was enough in how we began the game at St James’ Park last month to provide encouragement today. We scored a goal to reflect the degree of control we had in the early stages – but had barely got our noses in front than we conceded. From there, the performance fell away and we couldn’t argue with the result.

That was a second successive win for Newcastle and their subsequent form underlines what can happen if you piece together a couple of positive results.

They were unlucky to lose to a late Chelsea goal at the weekend and that defeat was a first in 10 Premier League games.

Eddie’s teams play good, fluent football, and are very difficult opponents when their tails are up. But the same things are true of us.

We must stay positive and if we apply ourselves and persist and believe in our talent and plan, something will turn in our favour.

Finally, I am exceptionally proud of our club’s contribution to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

I echo the Chairman’s sentiments. What we are seeing unfold in Ukraine is heartbreaking and everybody at Everton continues to stand together in support of the country and its people.

Enjoy tonight’s game.

Frank