Jags Revved Up For Big Week

Phil Jagielka insists injuries to Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori haven’t dented Everton’s focus or confidence as they prepare for two big games in four days. 1The Blues travel to Anfield for the Merseyside derby on Saturday, before heading to Old Trafford to take on Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Tuesday night. 2A home match against champions Leicester City next Sunday completes an important period for Ronald Koeman’s side as they look to keep pace with the Premier League’s top six. And while Jagielka says thoughts will be with their absent teammates, the Club captain won’t let heads drop at a vital stage of the campaign. “It’s been a bit strange with the international break coming along and making the build-up to the derby that bit longer than it normally is and then, unfortunately, the games haven’t been too kind to us in terms of losing players,” he told evertontv. “But it’s a case of get all the lads back in, have a look at the numbers, work on a few things and then the derby day will take care of itself. It’s something to look forward to, it’s a massive week ahead and the excitement will build as it gets closer to Saturday lunchtime. “It’s hard to look past the derby. 3It’s not going to be the defining point of where we finish but we also know a good result could kick us on to another difficult away game at Man United and then a difficult home game against Leicester. “If we can have a really positive week and really kick on there’s potential to knock on the door for the places above us. We need to try to keep up the fight as long as possible and the only way we can do that is by having positive results against the teams in and around us.” Jagielka’s injury-time thunderbolt secured Everton’s most recent point at Anfield two seasons ago but the defender is understandably desperate to land a long overdue victory on the opposite side of Stanley Park. “There’s not been many great results over the course of the last few games at Anfield but that’s something we can only put right on the pitch and we know that. “All the talking beforehand doesn’t count for anything, it’s when that game kicks off that we need to make sure we’re in a good place and that we go and put a performance in. “We’re in a pretty good run of form and, take away the injuries, the camp is positive and confident and we’ll need that going to a difficult place. “Especially at Goodison, but in any derby, it’s fantastic to be able to lead us out. It would’ve been nice to have led us to a couple of more positive results over time but it’s a new game, a new atmosphere, we’ve got some different players on board this year and hopefully we can go there and cause some problems.” Jagielka was speaking to Club ambassador Ian Snodin in an exclusive interview for evertontv. Watch the full video above or by visiting the ‘Video’ section of the Official Everton App.