Jagielka staying positive

Jagielka: Staying positive

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Phil Jagielka believes it is important for Everton to stay positive when they tackle Standard Liege in the second leg of their Uefa Cup tie on Thursday.

The Toffees are up against it when they do battle with the Belgians following a 2-2 home draw at Goodison Park.

After conceding twice on home soil, Jagielka wants his team-mates to be positive in the return leg in order to negate the goals Standard scored on Merseyside.

Everton entertain crisis club Newcastle on Sunday and former Sheffield United man Jagielka knows it is an important week for David Moyes' side following their derby defeat to Liverpool.

Shot ourselves

"We shot ourselves in the foot after we conceded the first (against Liverpool)," he told the Liverpool Echo. "After that, they kept the ball really well, got a second quite quickly and frustrated us.

"The confidence isn't sky high by any stretch of the imagination but a result against Liverpool would have righted some wrongs.

"As it was, we were outplayed and lost the game. Now we have got to move on. We had a fantastic time in Europe last year and we want another four or five games at least. The Newcastle game is also doubly important, so we have got an interesting week ahead.

"Two wins could set us up for a really good run. Only the players can get us out of this situation. We are going there as a squad and we are determined to get a good result. I don't think there is more pressure on the game - we know what we have got to do.

"Maybe it will do us good to get away. I'm sure there will be a few Evertonians over there making a lot of noise but we know what we have got to do - it's either a ridiculously high scoring draw or we've got to nick it somehow. We have got to be as positive as possible."