Michael Keane has called on Everton to harness the power of Goodison Park again when they host Leeds United in a “huge game” on Saturday but insists the team are still confident that “the only way is up” under Frank Lampard.
A 3-1 defeat against a Newcastle United side who went into the game second-bottom of the Premier League table cut the gap between the Blues and the Magpies to just a single point.
However, after new manager Lampard enjoyed a rousing welcome from the Goodison crowd in his first match as Brentford were despatched 4-1 in the FA Cup fourth round, Keane is hoping that Everton can benefit from another passionate home crowd as they go in search of some desperately-needed points.
He told evertontv : “It is vital we harness the atmosphere.
“When Goodison was like it was in the FA Cup game against Brentford, it’s a really difficult place for away teams to come.
“We know the fans will be disappointed by this [Newcastle loss] but we need them to get right behind us at the weekend because it’s a huge game.
“Leeds are a good team in their own right – they play a different kind of football and we’ll have to make sure we're ready for that but with Goodison behind us it makes a hell of a difference.”
Keane has also enjoyed Lampard’s greater emphasis on passing although he acknowledges that Everton are well overdue a clean sheet with their last shutout coming in the goalless stalemate at home to Tottenham Hotspur on November 7.
The 29-year-old said: “It’s been good. Personally, I find myself with lots of options on the ball and I'm enjoying being on the ball more, passing it more.
“Obviously, we need to try to keep clean sheets as we’ve not had one for what feels like forever and as a centre-back that hurts, it’s what I want.
“We'll look at ways to sort that out. But overall it’s been really enjoyable, all of the lads have loved the training in the first week we've had together.
“Of course, it’s a disappointing result but it’s important we don't get too low about it. We’ve got 17 games left, we've got to get on the training pitch, improve and put in the performances.
“We have to keep working. We know where we are in the league but we're confident the only way is up for us.
“You look at the new manager and his staff and the way we’re training – we’ve only been together for one week and I think the longer we’ll be together, the better we’ll get.”
