Everton manager David Moyes has urged his side to be ruthless and show no sympathy when they face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Moyes admits his side can ill afford to drop points to the relegation strugglers in their late charge for a European place.
Everton have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League games but their momentum was slowed as Wolves held them to a goalless draw last week.
They now host a Hammers side in disarray after six successive defeats, speculation over manager Gianfranco Zola's future and other off-field turmoil. Moyes wants his men to take full advantage.
The Scot said: "They will be wounded, they will feel the defeats they have had have been tough on them.
"But we have to show no sympathy for them and get on with our job. I'm sure that is what they would expect from us.
"I am really focusing on how well we have been playing.
"Our work has been good but what we missed last week was the finishing and cutting edge. "I think we have to go and win the game if we have got any hopes of being near the top, or certainly trying to pip the teams above us.
"I don't think there are many points we can drop now in the run-in.
"If you are playing West Ham at home, you have to think that is one of the games you have to win."
Despite his team's form, Moyes still remains reluctant to predict a higher-placed finish than the eighth position they occupied ahead of this weekend's games.
After collecting just 15 points from their opening 14 games, Everton were 16th at the end of November and have been playing catch-up ever since.
With just six games remaining, Moyes fears their injury-ravaged start will just prove too damaging come the final analysis.
He added: "We will try to do it but it is a long shot. We have been picking up points and are getting closer but at this moment in time we are just a bit behind.
"We need to hope things go for us and we need to keep doing our job."
Everton are again likely to be without Mikel Arteta due to a groin injury and Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe are both doubtful with knocks. Dan Gosling was this week ruled out for up to nine months with cruciate ligament damage after a collision with Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
