Everton's lack of form heading into Wednesday's League Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City is a concern for experienced midfielder Gareth Barry.
Roberto Martinez's side take a 2-1 lead to the Etihad Stadium, after goals from Ramiro Funes Mori and Romelu Lukaku sandwiched Jesus Navas' equaliser in the first leg at Goodison Park.
On Sunday, Barry's near-post flick deflected in off Jack Cork for an Everton equaliser, but Swansea City came away from Goodison with a 2-1 triumph as the Toffees' stuttering season continued.
"The ideal world going into a game like Wednesday, would be with a win," former City midfielder Barry told the Liverpool Echo.
"There is nothing better than going into games on a winning run, when you are feeling confident, but that's where we are at the moment.
"We have got to go into a League Cup semi-final on the back of a defeat."
The Argentina international scored both goals as City twice came from behind in Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Ham, a result that leaves them three points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City.
Despite Aguero's heroics at Upton Park, manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted City are not overly reliant on the diminutive forward.
"I don't think that our team is just Sergio Aguero," he said. "If you see we play this season in the Premier League 23 games. In those 23 games there are 11 players that play more minutes [than Aguero].
"It's not David Silva, it's not Sergio Aguero, it's not Vincent Kompany [in the top 11].
"We are fighting for the title and in all the competitions with a lot of injuries, so it's very important to have him 100 per cent fit but I think we have a squad, which is the reason why we are fighting for the title."
