Our season will be defined by events over the next seven weeks. None of us expected or wanted to be in this position, in a fight to secure our Premier League safety, but we cannot change anything that’s happened since August.

It is in our power, though, to influence the final 11 matches, starting with West Ham on Sunday.

I have complete confidence in what we are doing as a club and am sure the time will come with this manager when we are winning games and moving in an upwards direction.

In the immediate future, however, the complete focus – individually and collectively – is on earning the points to pull us clear of trouble.

We can look at the table and see the likely impact of winning our games in hand and getting on a positive run: come the end of the season, the perception would be that we were never really in danger.

There is the quality in the team to turn that scenario into reality. If we are all flying, there is nothing to fear from anybody.

But those are empty words if we don’t perform consistently. We’ve not played to our potential anywhere near enough this season and that is why we have been dragged into this battle at the bottom.

Confidence takes a hit when results go against you and, before you know it, things spiral.

It works the other way, though. Winning games creates belief and the way we beat Newcastle in our last Premier League match provided a huge boost.

We didn’t follow up that result in the Cup and shared the supporters’ disappointment at missing out on a Wembley semi-final.

It was something we all desperately wanted but there is an acceptance now that this season has to be about ensuring Everton stay in the Premier League.

Frank came into a difficult situation but I think he is a great manager and we will benefit from his knowledge and experience.

He goes into every detail, we all know exactly what is expected from us – and he is surrounded by an incredible group of staff.

Over time, the quality of their work will be reflected in our performances, I am sure of that.

But, to reiterate, this is not the time to get ahead of ourselves.

All that matters is the here and now – and having our main striker looking sharp in training this past fortnight has given everyone a lift.

The international break was a perfect opportunity for Dom to work at full speed on the training pitch and get ready for when we need him.

We have worked very hard and had a lot of short and sharp sessions, with the focus turning towards tactics as players returned from their national teams.

Richarlison did brilliantly for Brazil, he’ll feel refreshed after going into a different environment and scoring his goals – and, hopefully, we will be the beneficiaries of that.

Anthony Gordon had another good England Under-21 camp, too. He’s been a real livewire for us this season. I appreciate it sounds contradictory when I say in the same sentence it’s important not to put too much pressure on Anthony and that he can be as good as he wants.

In terms of reining in expectation, there needs to be an understanding there will be difficult points, maybe a game or two where he comes off it.

That happens when you’re a young player, it is a natural part of the development process.

Anthony has a first-class attitude, he works very hard and is always eager to learn. With those attributes, added to his ability, he will get better and better and can be a significant part of where Everton want to push.

I am feeling good personally and want to repay the confidence the manager is investing in me.

There was talk of an England call a couple of years ago and that is something I hope will resurface in the next couple of seasons, when we’re winning games and travelling in the right direction.

My focus right now is on fighting for our massive goal, then we can think about getting things going in the manager’s first full season.

Our first chance to put points on the board comes at West Ham. They have built a strong squad and it’s a tough challenge but one we’re capable of meeting.

The away form has been miles away from what’s expected – but it is a football match, it doesn’t matter where we’re playing.

Every game is vital and we need to be firing and ready to win as many of them as possible.

A dedicated text donation hotline has been launched by the Club and DEC in the UK to allow supporters to donate £10 to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal by texting EVERTON to 70150*.

*Texts cost £10 and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal plus your standard network charge. You must have bill payer’s permission. 

For full T&Cs visit dec.org.uk 

You can also donate online by visiting the Disaster Emergency Committee’s fundraising page: donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal