Football
Mike Whalley 9y

Baines calls for focus as Everton look to push away from mid-table

Everton defender Leighton Baines says his teammates are "desperate" to end their inconsistent form and start challenging at the top end of the Premier League.

Baines' penalty equaliser secured a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday -- but his side are 10th in the table after a mixed start to the campaign.

The Toffees, who finished fifth last season, have won only three out of 11 league games this term, but have drawn another five.

They are only four points outside a Champions League spot, but Baines believes they should be doing better.

The England left-back told the Liverpool Echo: "We're relieved in the end because we were behind and got a late goal.

"But we're also frustrated because the league is so mad at the moment in terms of the results, and we're desperate to pull ourselves away from that middle zone."

Manager Roberto Martinez has said several times in recent weeks that he feels Everton are paying the price for drawing their opening two league games of the season, against Leicester and Arsenal, after conceding late equalisers in both.

But his side have also been held in their last two league matches, against Swansea and Sunderland, suggesting that finishing off opponents is still an issue.

Baines believes that it is a problem that must be sorted out after the forthcoming international break.

Everton do not play again until they host West Ham on Nov. 22, the first of nine Premier League matches in just under six weeks -- a busy period that offers a chance to build momentum, according to the 29-year-old.

He said: "We feel we're good enough to have more points than we have so it's just frustrating we can't break loose from that pack.

"We feel like we should be higher up -- but I suppose taking a point is better than coming away with nothing.

"After this international break, it's our real chance to build some momentum. There are no internationals for a while and we hope we can push on from there.

"As the league stands, three wins can just propel you. In the short term, that's our aim and we'll see progress.

"We'll come back and focus on that and then keep building on that. But we need to do it first."

^ Back to Top ^