Phil Jagielka admits Everton FC would have swapped their smooth Europa League progress for wins on the domestic front.But the Blues skipper is determined to help guide his side through what promises to be a demanding first leg in their last 32 tie with Young Boys on Thursday night.
Jagielka says next Sunday’s visit of Leicester City in the Premier League has taken on added significance after Everton slipped to just five points clear of the drop zone.
The 32-year-old insists he is not ready to hit the panic just yet, but acknowledges the team need to pick up points soon - starting with the game against the Foxes.
“We would’ve swapped a couple of wins in Europe for some in the league but we’ve done well, performed well, scored good goals and defended pretty well in the main in the Europa League,” Jagielka told the ECHO.
“We hope to continue that at Young Boys, it is going to be a really tough game especially with the conditions but it will be a nice distraction to have.
“But we still need to get back to the Premier League and start picking up some points.”
Everton’s six game unbeaten run came to an end at Chelsea on Wednesday night when Willian struck a last-minute winner at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues remain 12th in the standings and Jagielka says the Leicester game has taken on the same significance that the trip to Crystal Palace did at the end of January.
“We’re not where we want to be,” Jagielka said.
“As far as concerns go, not yet, but we need to pick up some points.
“We’ve had a tough run and still have some tough couple of games coming up now.
“Leicester is now looking pretty similar to the Crystal Palace game at the end of last month. It was a very important game and it definitely puts a little bit more added pressure on those games because of how close you are in relation to points to the team you are playing against.”
Jagielka has rekindled his centre-half partnership with John Stones and says the longer they play alongside each other, the stronger they will become as a duo.
“It is just getting game time together,” he added.
“People ask how we can get better as a partnership, well it’s just about playing games together.
“Even losing - and these experiences aren’t nice - but what they do is build partnerships and partnerships on the pitch.
“Me and Stonesy are getting a few games together now and he’s got a long future ahead of him so if I can hang on with him it will be ok.”
By Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
