Jags backs Jela to return to form

Phil Jagielka backs Nikica Jelavić to rediscover his scoring form.

The Croatians lack of goals in recent weeks coincides with Everton's lack of victories.

The 27-year-old has scored in just five games this season for club and country and when Jela is on target his side has a win record of 4 in 5.

He scored against Aston Villa, we won.

He scored against Macedonia, Croatia won.

He scored against Southampton (twice), we won.

He scored against Wigan, we drew.

He scored against Sunderland, we won.

It's fair to say that if Jelavić does the business in front of goal, we are likely to take the points.

The problem is he has now only scored one goal in eight games for Everton and we've gone on to draw six, lose one and win one (the Sunderland game).

Everton defender Phil Jagielka thinks its nothing more than a phase and believes his scoring touch will return.

"Everything was working for him when he came and now the person who is playing up front with him - Felli - everything is coming off for him,

"Look up at Newcastle, Demba Ba was on fire then Papiss Cisse came and Ba didn`t score. This season it is the opposite way round, that is the way cycles go.' Jags told The Echo.

He continued: "We`d love to have both Felli and Jela firing on all cylinders but it`s not like Jela is getting into four or five good positions and missing easy chances every game.

"It is just not breaking for him.

Is it as simple as that? Or has he been found out a little? His impact when he first arrived from Rangers was phenomenal. Is it a cycle he's going through or are the opposition handling him better now he is better known?

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