Thursday 18 September 2014 20:25, UK
Everton captain Phil Jagielka says playing in the Europa League will not hamper his side's chances of making an impact in the domestic game.
Wolfsburg are first up for Everton on Thursday and Jagielka is keen to emphasise the positives of a competition which requires teams to play 14 games to reach the final.
"We performed at some good levels last year to get us into this competition," said Jagielka. "Everyone's really excited at the prospect of playing Thursday night football.
"The manager's put a very good squad together, the squad's very hungry obviously. Early in the season everyone's trying to nail down their positions.
If we can get the snowball effect moving towards Christmas, hopefully pick up as many wins as we can in every competition we're in, hopefully we can have an exciting second half of the season.
"We can't get enough games. Two games a week, as long as we stay injury free, will suit us to a T."
Everton beat West Brom 2-0 in their last outing for their first Premier League win of the season, having conceded 10 goals in three games at the start of the campaign.
"It's all about momentum - at the start of the season we didn't particularly play too badly but we didn't manage to find any momentum," added Jagielka.
"We conceded far too many goals and didn't see out games. Since we came back from the international break it's all about us getting that ball rolling, getting clean sheets, getting goals, getting wins.
"If we can get the snowball effect moving towards Christmas, hopefully pick up as many wins as we can in every competition we're in, hopefully we can have an exciting second half of the season."
Thursday's match is Everton's first European game since the 3-0 defeat by Sporting Lisbon in February 2010, a match which Jagielka played in as he made his comeback from a long-term cruciate injury.
"It's another opportunity for me," he said. "I've captained the team for a year. It'll be the first opportunity to captain the team on a Thursday night. It's a very proud moment again.
"A lot of my friends and family will be here. We've already spoken about how special night games are at Goodison. Obviously the added spice of it being a European fixture as well will be very special, but we've got to go out there and perform well and get the right result."
Wolfsburg's squad features some familiar faces in the shape of ex-Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner and Ivica Olic, the Croatia and ex-Bayern Munich forward.
"Wolfsburg are a really well-structured team," said Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
"They've got a really good balance, really good experience, full internationals, players that know how to play on these sort of occasions.
"De Bruyne is a player we know from his Chelsea time but I think he's gone on to the next level and is a really important player in the forward play alongside Olic.
"They've got a really strong side. But we're playing at home. We're going to make sure we are the team that sets the tempo of the game.
"We're really looking forward to facing a team of the quality of Wolfsburg. I do feel they could easily be a team playing in the Champions League."
