Ian Snodin believes Everton need to record six points from their next three Premier League fixtures in order to get their flailing season back on track.
The Toffees currently sit 12th on the Premier League table on the back of a six-game winless streak (eight including FA Cup outings) but former midfielder Snodin has implored the side to improve rapidly in the coming two weeks if they want to move clear of the unenviable drop zone.
'Everton have a run of fixtures looming which would be testing even if we were on a good run. But results haven't been great and a trip to a revitalised Crystal Palace and league leaders Chelsea - with a Merseyside derby sandwiched in between - is as tough as it gets,' he wrote in the Liverpool Echo.
'But we have to think positively - and I firmly believe we need to be looking at collecting six points from those three fixtures.
'I don't mind how they come. Some fans may be looking at fixtures like that and saying one win and a couple of draws would be a great return.
'But I think we really need a couple of wins on the board as soon as possible to stop people looking over their shoulders and mentioning the 'R' word, rather than us catching the sides immediately ahead of us in the table.
'Because if we don't take points from the next three matches the visit of Leicester to Goodison Park at the end of February then suddenly becomes huge.'
Roberto Martinez's Everton side travel to 13th-placed Palace on Saturday prior to the February 7 Merseyside derby with arch enemies Liverpool at Goodison Park. They then meet league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on February 11.
