Fixture congestion, injuries and the absence of fans have all contributed to a lack of consistency from clubs in terms of results across the Premier League this season, including Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.
However, back-to-back top flight wins against Liverpool and Southampton have given the Toffees a boost in their chase for a European spot finish, with them only two points behind fourth placed West Ham United while boasting a game in hand.
Former Everton star Ball has urged the Toffees to take advantage of the strangeness of the season and not let their target of playing in Europe next term slip away.
With the campaign now nearing the business end, Ball issued advice to Everton to keep their focus game-by-game, and take to the field every time with the willingness to fight and desire to win.
Ball wrote in his Liverpool Echo column: “I’m sick of people saying it’s a strange season.
“Yeah, it is, but let’s take advantage of that and not have it slip away.
“A few weeks ago, we’d have said the top four, or even the top six, would be quite difficult for us to get into.
“But, after a few wins, those targets are getting closer for us.
“It’s really positive to get the win and get a clean sheet. It’s like a reset button has been pressed.
“The end of the season is in sight now.
“Focus on game-by-game, put the willingness and desire in from now until the end of the season and hopefully we’ll finish in a position we can be proud of.”
Having started the week on strong note with a win against the Saints, Everton are now set to travel to the Hawthorns to take on relegation threatened West Brom on Thursday in the top flight.
