Everton manager Marco Silva insists he has no interest in affecting the title race as he tries to stabilise a season which is in danger of spiralling into mid-table mediocrity.
The Toffees could do their near-neighbours and current Premier League leaders Liverpool a favour by taking points off Manchester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday, even if that thought is unpalatable to some fans.
However, Silva, who is in desperate need of a good result after six defeats in their last nine league matches, does not want to get involved in the debate.
“It is not for us to look to that (title) fight. We know what is our fight. For sure our fans want our team to win the game. That is the most important thing,” he said.
“It is not just two teams fighting for the title. There are many games to play. Nothing will be decided tomorrow in our game against City.
“We have to look to ourselves and what our aim is for the match.
“Nothing changes. Even if you didn’t achieve and win the last home match nothing changed from the first moment we told you what our goal is.”
The visit of City is the start of a run of home matches against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
It is a daunting stretch, and one which could not have come at a worse time with just three wins in 12 league matches going back to December 2.
“It is the reality for us,” said Silva.
“We don’t look for what will happen in the next five or six games, it will be tough and so it doesn’t make sense if you are looking to them and be scared of something.
“We have to look at ourselves and what we do different and better. We have to improve on what we did last game because if we don’t improve it won’t be difficult for them (City).”
Silva has confirmed midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye will be available for the visit of Manchester City after he failed to get a deadline-day move to Paris St Germain.
The Senegal international reportedly wrote a letter to club officials pleading to be allowed to join the Ligue 1 champions after their initial bid was rejected but a second, improved approach of £26million was rebuffed as the window closed.
Gueye missed the next two matches with what the club said was a groin injury but the 29-year-old could be selected against City and Silva is confident he will return fully focused.
“It was a tough period for him,” he told Press Association Sport.
“When you have some clubs around you, important clubs in Europe, it can make your focus different but he is a fantastic professional in our club and I am sure he will be in the future also.
“It is important to him to keep doing the things he is because when a club like that comes to sign him we know how Gana is doing things well and I am here to keep helping him to keep performing at this level.
“If the good things come to him it is because he is doing well and that means he has to keep doing it.”
