The Toffees have made a habit of stumbling out of the blocks in recent years and have endured similar troubles this term. That has left them eight points adrift of the top six as the halfway point of the season approaches, with just four wins taken from 18 fixtures. The 2010/11 campaign has been one of twists and turns, though, so anything remains possible from here on in. With that in mind, Osman believes Everton are still capable of stringing a productive run of results together and climbing up the standings. He told the Liverpool Echo: "We have to remember it has been a strange season and while we have not picked up the results we have wanted regularly enough, we are still not that far off the European places points wise. "It is still all there to play for and hopefully we can put a real run together in the second half of the season. "We need to start converting chances - that is the first thing. And once we do that, I think we will put a run together and end up nearer the top of the league. I am confident on that." Osman hopes he will be given every opportunity to play his part over the coming weeks, having returned to the side against Manchester City last time out after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. "Doing the rehab and the hard work to get back fit isn't the problem," he said on his injury woes. "What is frustrating is the fact that you are injured and the rest of the players are out there playing in the games that you can't play in. Watching the matches is what makes it hard. "That's especially the case when the results aren't what everybody wants them to be and you want to get back out there and help the team. It can be so frustrating."
