The Toffees went into Tuesday’s top flight clash at St James’ Park against fellow strugglers Newcastle United looking for a win under new boss Frank Lampard, but an inspired performance from the Magpies saw the visitors’ move into an even perilous position in the relegation battle.
Everton suffered a 3-1 loss on Tyneside in their latest outing, extending their terrible run to just one win in their last 15 games and are now set to host Leeds at the weekend.
Toffees legend Osman has insisted that as long Everton struggle for results, the next match becomes that much more important for them especially when it is against a team like Leeds, who are also looking to get as far away from the drop zone as possible.
Osman stressed that the Leeds clash is a must win for Everton if they really want to boost their chances of survival in the league and he pointed out that the upcoming run of fixtures does not get any easier for them.
“The longer Everton go in this run of not getting points the more important the next fixture becomes, especially if you are playing a team that are there or thereabouts with you it becomes vital”, Osman said on BBC Radio 5 live after the St James’ Park game.
“So, Everton really have to win that game.
“When you look at Everton’s run, the next 12 games or something, they play maybe eight teams that are in the top ten, so the games don’t get any easier and if you are going to be beaten by the teams around you then you are going to have to figure out a way to get points from elsewhere.”
In Tuesday’s clash Everton also lost key players Demarai Gray and Yerry Mina to injury with the duo now joining the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey on the sidelines, which has made boss Lampard’s task to turn the fortunes around at the club harder, while Leeds are also dealing with their own injury issues.
