Mason Holgate believes that the good times are just around the corner forEverton as they prepare to face West Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

It may seem odd to some after just one win in their last five games and only one place above the bottom of the table.

The centre-back has no doubt that Lampard can help steer the club to new heights in the near future.

Holgate tells Sky Sports that they are very confident of staying up.

It is a difficult circumstance that he has come into. I think he is a great manager, and I think we will all benefit from him as the season progresses.

He goes into every detail and we know exactly what we need to do.

Lampard's 'big impact' on Holgate

Mason Holgate is believing in himself again under Frank Lampard
Image: Mason Holgate is believing in himself again under Frank Lampard

Holgate has benefited from the arrival of Lampard. His place in the starting line-up and his self-belief have been restored.

Holgate has started in nine of the 10 games that he has been in charge of. Holgate was given the same number of starts in 23 games under Rafael Benitez.

Holgate, who describes himself as a ball-playing centre half, has also been returned to his preferred position after being used as a utility player in recent seasons.

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Everton vs Newcastle highlights v2
FREE TO WATCH: Everton beat Newcastle last time out in the league - can they make it back-to-back wins at West Ham?

Holgate says that giving him the confidence of playing is something that's massive for him.

I think he and his staff are showing me what I need to be doing. I want to improve, I want to get better, and I want to help the team as much as I can.

To be a part of the team and playing every week shows the confidence he has in me, so I want to repay that.

Why Everton have 'nothing to fear' at West Ham

Holgate is optimistic about the future at the club, but he says that is not what this season is about. He doesn't think about the situation they find themselves in.

There is no denying that we are in a fight for survival.

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Everton's Anthony Gordon and manager Frank Lampard at full time after the Emirates FA Cup quarter final match at Selhurst Park, London. Picture date: Sunday March 20, 2022.
Football finance expert Kevin Maguire reveals what is likely to happen to Everton if they are to be relegated this season after reporting over 100 million pounds in losses last season.

I believe that we have the ability to get ourselves out of trouble if we look at other teams that are going to get demoted.

Six of the 11 games are away from Goodison Park. It has been a big problem forEverton getting results on the road this season - their last away win was in August. No side in the league has had a worse road record.

Holgate admits that the away record is odd, but refuses to give too much weight to it. Winning games is the most important thing for the defender.

Premier League table based on away results
Image: Premier League table based on away results before weekend of April 2/3 fixtures

He points out that last year he was facing questions about the home form of his club. They lost more games at Goodison than they did on the road.

Sunday's match at West Ham, live on Sky Sports, is a huge test for the side.

West Ham are in the last eight of the Europa League and are in touch with the top six with just eight games left in the season.

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Everton vs Newcastle highlights v2
FREE TO WATCH: Everton beat Newcastle last time out in the league - can they make it back-to-back wins at West Ham?

Holgate is adamant that the gap between the sides is not as large as the table suggests.

Holgate says that they have been a good team for a couple of years. They have a really good squad.

If we are all flying, there is nothing to worry about. We have not been doing that enough.

Holgate on his 'difficult' few years

Holgate points out that the squad has not performed well this season. The defender admits it had been a struggle for him.

He won the Players' Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season after an injury disrupted his run as a starting centre-back.

Holgate was in line for his first England call-up that season before Covid struck, with Euro 2020 subsequently postponed by a year.

He says it has been difficult because of injuries and other injuries.

I don't think two games went by when I was playing the same position.

Mason Holgate heatmap

The managers believe I can play in those positions. I will not be able to play as well in other positions as I do in my current position.

I didn't play at the start of the season, and there was nothing I could do about it. I had to work hard and keep training.

Holgate feels that being a defender in a struggling team makes him an easy target for criticism, even though he is positive about his form.

It is hard when the team is not doing well because it is always your fault, he says.

We were winning games a couple of years ago when I was in the team, but people will say that he is not playing well. It looks completely different now.

From my point of view, I feel good and playing games. I think once the team goes in the direction everyone is confident it will go, people will turn around and say, "Oh his form is back now." I think it is just that we are all going through difficult times at the moment.

Everton the focus - but England not ruled out

Holgate has represented England up to U21 level, but never got a senior call-up
Image: Holgate has represented England up to U21 level, but never got a senior call-up

If a team is struggling, the chances of getting called up for England are slim, says Holgate, when asked if representing his country is still on his mind.

The 25-year-old is fully aware of the situation he finds himself in less than two years after being considered by England manager.

He says that everyone in the squad is fighting for something.

When the club gets going, I can start thinking about those things a bit more, because I don't think the time is right now to think about England.

I am confident in what we are doing as a club, and I am confident in the team that we have, and I am sure that time will come. No one will rule out playing for England at 25.

The manager will have a full season with us all once we get going, because we are all fighting for a massive goal. I have complete faith in my ability to do that.

Sky Sports will show the West Ham vsEverton game on Sunday at 2pm.