"Absolutely believe" - Journalist drops truly damning Everton claim ahead of Newcastle clash

Everton have it all to do to overcome Newcastle United on Thursday night due to the current atmosphere at the club, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The two sides are set to meet at Goodison Park, in what could be regarded as a must-win match for the Toffees as they battle to avoid dropping down into the Championship.

The Merseyside club brought Frank Lampard in to replace Rafael Benitez at the end of January, hoping that the former Chelsea boss would steer them away from the bottom three. Lampard has struggled to make the desired impact, though.

He has overseen Everton’s progress through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, but the team’s league form has been woeful.

In his six top-flight games in charge, Everton have picked up just three points, and have lost their last four matches on the bounce without scoring a single goal.

Their latest defeat came at home to Wolves on Sunday, when they were beaten 1-0 thanks to a Conor Coady header, while Jonjoe Kenny was also sent off late on. This has left Everton outside the relegation places, but only on goal difference.

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Meanwhile, Newcastle have recently been on a nine-match unbeaten run, which has lifted them nine points clear of the drop zone. They finally suffered a 1-0 against Chelsea on Sunday, but they pushed Thomas Tuchel’s men all the way at Stamford Bridge.

As a result, Jones does not think their confidence will have been dented, and he feels they will expect to beat Everton on Thursday.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Newcastle will absolutely believe they’re going to go there and win. I think that the feeling they’ve got in their camp, compared to Everton’s, worlds apart right now.”