Everton interim head coach Scott Phelan says recent performances have given him hope that the end of the season can be positive.
"Change brings fresh opportunity, and that's something we've been keen to stress to the players," said Phelan before the visit of West Ham to Goodison Park on Sunday (12:00 GMT)
"The start that the players have made has been really encouraging and that's given me more hope that things can be really bright and positive between now and the end of the season."
Phelan led the side to a battling 1-0 win at London City Lionesses in his first game in charge last weekend, a win that stretched the gap to the relegation play-off zone to five points.
He feels the back-to-back victories have lifted the atmosphere at Everton.
"If training is anything to go by, [the players] are definitely in a good mood," he said. "The noise and enthusiasm around the sessions has been really, really notable, and that was something we asked them to bring."
Upcoming opponents West Ham travel to Merseyside on the back of two wins in their past three games, including a remarkable comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 against Brighton last time out.
If Rita Guarino's side can win at Goodison Park, it would move them level on points with Everton in ninth.
"It's that time of the season where people are desperate to collect three points and Sunday will be no different," added Phelan. "We expect opposition teams to come and compete, especially at a fantastic stadium like Goodison.
"We're desperate to come and play a Goodison because we expect a similar noise, similar encouragement [to last weekend].
"We want to make our ground a tough place to come."
