Everton manager Marco Silva accepts his side has to turn around their poor run of form quickly but he does not believe the next couple of months will determine their season.
After just one win in eight league matches the Toffees have a run of seven fixtures – starting on Sunday at home to Bournemouth – where they only have to face Manchester City out of the current top seven teams in the Premier League table.
However, Silva said he did not believe the next couple of months would be pivotal – just like December should not be viewed in isolation.
"Of course last December was tough for us," he said. "We didn't achieve the results we wanted and, in some moments, we deserved.
"We have analysed why in some of them but we are the same team, the same players, the same structure.
"Of course results are the main thing but in 25 days things will not change in our mind.
"The season is more than one month.
"Before December we had a fantastic run with six or seven games with very good results and performances, the team playing really well, and everyone enjoying what we are doing and happy with the results.
"For us to grow as a club and to play with the same confidence as before results are the key.
"But it is not important whether the next opponents are equal (to Everton) or not because in the Premier League you cannot say anything about the next match because when you think it is an easy game, it will be tough."
With Bournemouth only behind the Toffees on goal difference, Sunday's game at Goodison Park – where they have not won in the league since November – is crucial.
And they are opponents Silva himself admires.
"We play against a team with a good idea of football with big stability; the coach working there the last five, six seasons, more or less the same group of players," he added.
"It is important in football when you have stability in football and it is one of the reasons they are achieving good things in the Premier League.
"They have a good style, good players and they are showing good ambition.
"It will be a tough match for us. We have to do everything we can to win. We have to change our home form."
