Defensive Pickle

Everton's central defence was hopeless at Blackpool. It looked like Rodwell had just been introduced to Yobo. Maybe they had. Jack was far too nice and you couldn't tell which Joey had turned up. The one who wins ever header or the one who spoons the ball all over the place. With Roger out with a hip injury or on the verge of signing for sitteh depending on who you believe, Jags out until October at the earliest and Blue Bill still haggling with the gooners over the price of Senderos, Everton are in a pickle. The captain says the defenders must show a mental toughness.

Phil says: “It is tough, but that’s pre-season for you. At the moment it’s easy for other teams to score against us which is something that we need to eradicate. It’s not something you can turn on like a tap next Saturday come Arsenal, and at this moment in time we’re probably physically a little bit soft.

We need to get back to the mental toughness that we showed last season. I’m sure over the next few days, and leading up to the Arsenal game we’ll be working hard at that. We pride ourselves on our defensive solidity, and it’s probably not been there this pre-season yet. We need 11 leaders out there, and that’s what we’ve had for four years since I came to the club.

We’ve got international players out there, everyone should be taking responsibility. Last season we started the season slowly, and fortunately enough we recovered. How many times we can keep doing that I don’t know, but one thing is that we must make sure we start the season well, make sure we’re mentally tough, we’re solid and we do the things that Everton does best. We need to get back to that on Friday against Malaga, and obviously a good week’s training next week as well.” (06/08/09)

Who Do They Think They Are

It seems the Arabs over at Eastlands are not getting the message in that Roger is not for sale. After upping their bid for him to £18m, Moyesy once again has knocked them back. Captain Phil like the rest of us is getting whazzed off, especially in the way Sittehh are conducting their transfer policy in public. No class, no history and no trophy for 30 odd years, they will soon be overtaking Chelski as the club everyone loves to hate.

Phil says: "The club have turned down two offers and the manager is not prepared to sell him. Let's move on and let's look forward to the new season. Will City get the message? The way they are going about their business, I don't think they will. There are ways and means of doing things - and Everton do it the right way." (30/07/09)

My Greatest Achievement

Fifty plus England Caps, Champions League Winners Medal, numerous Premiership Winning Medals and of course FA Cup honours. Yep we are talking about our Captain Phil Neville, who if he lifts the FA Cup come Saturday tea time, will rate it as his greatest honour ever. Get in there Phil. I am still very nervous, typing this on the loo at present. COYB FTRS

Phil says: "My theory throughout my career has been that the next one is always the greatest and this does feel as though it will be the greatest. If I win a medal on Saturday it will be the best medal I've won.

In terms of individual success for me to lift the FA Cup will be my greatest ever honour - particularly for this Club. I've been so lucky for the last two-and-a-half years to be captain of this great Club and I've met so many wonderful supporters who have told me about the great Everton captains, great Everton players and that's the beauty of this Club - it's got a fantastic history.

People talk about me being a good Everton captain but for me to be mentioned among the likes of Kevin Ratcliffe and Brian Labone - these are people who have not just won the FA Cup, they've won league championships and European honours - that's what I've got to do to be mentioned in the same breath. It would be a great start to win the FA Cup and it's time this team had something to show for its efforts.

I drive to training in the mornings and the music’s blasting away and you do visualise yourself holding up the FA Cup. That's what you've got to do because you've got to believe you're going to win. In the past 14 years we've probably not lived up to the past and now under David Moyes I think this Club is going in the right direction. We can restore this Club to where it belongs and that is the top of English football. Regardless of the result on Saturday this has got to be the start of a sustained period of success for this Club. It's got to be. It's not going to be the end of the journey on Saturday win or lose. This is just the start." (28/05/09)

Lets Win It For The Fans

The Everton skipper who has been a colossus this season has played tribute to the Everton fans.

Phil says: "I just want to say thank you for everything you've done this season. You've picked us up when we've needed it, you've kicked us up the backside when we've needed it and you always wear your hearts on your sleeves.

It makes you proud as captain when you're filling other people's stadiums with your own fans. It's then that it hits home that you're playing for a big club with supporters who really care. Let's hope on Saturday we can repay the fans and give them all a nice present." (27/05/09)

Bring It On

Phil Neville can't wait for Saturdays home match against Sitteeh, to top off a fantastic week. After the scenes at Wembley on Saturday, most of the footballing world thought the Blues would roll over against Chelski, but in the end it was a game we could and should have won. Now Sitteeh beckons this weekend, and Phil can't wait to sample what will be a superb atmosphere in our first home match since reaching the FA Cup Final.

Phil says: "The atmosphere will be something pretty special I'm sure. There'll be no fatigue because the fans will carry us through. I looked at the programme this week and thought, 'what a fantastic week to be a professional footballer for Everton. You're playing at Wembley Stadium, you're playing at Stamford Bridge and then you're going back to Goodison Park to play against our local rivals Manchester City.' What an absolutely tremendous week." (23/04/09)

That Tackle Turned Our Season

Back in October things were not going to well for the Blues, our home form was patchy, we had been knocked out of the UEFA and Carling Cups, then against manure at home Phil Neville threw a tackle in on Ronaldo. Now as Marks and Spencer's say, this was no ordinary tackle but a superbly timed, hard old fashioned top draw tackle, that as an added bonus saw the Portuguese wanker, sorry winker go down like the proverbial sniper had shot him.

As a consequence the noise levels rose to fever pitch within Goodison Park, and the players responded that day and for the rest of the season. We now lie sixth, will probably finish fifth, and find ourselves in the FA Cup Semi Final for the first time in fourteen years, ironically against manure. Lets have some more of that tomorrow lads, follow Phil's example, but just one point, if you get a chance on Ronaldo make sure he does not get up next time !!

Moyesy says: "I remember that tackle, it was definitely one of those season-changing moments. Things like that give you a bit of momentum and we got a decent point because of someone trying to take responsibility.

Phil did it for us with a tackle that day. He’s tried to take a lot of ownership for what goes on and he deserves a lot of praise for that." (18/04/09)

Stay Focused

He might be the first Everton Captain since Waggy Watson to walk the Blues out at Wembley, but Phil Neville is urging his Everton team mates to stay focused on the Premiership and put next months Semi Final firmly to the back of their minds. Good shout Phil, Stoke up next, three points hopefully and leave us to talk about Wembley in the boozer before the game.

Phil says: "From enjoying the celebrations on the pitch to getting back to the dressing room - straight away my mind turned to the Stoke City game. I think success is brilliant at the time but the sooner you move on and concentrate on the next task, the more successful you can get. We're all looking forward to the semi-final but there are four or five games before that. All games we should be winning, and if we do win those games then we can be right in the mix for a top four place." (12/03/09)

Future Coach

David Moyes gave our Captain the ultimate accolade when he said that Phil has all the attributes to become a top future coach.

Moyesy says: "I think that Phil Neville has all the attributes to go on and be a top coach. I know that top players – and he’s definitely one of those – sometimes don’t make managers, but he has all the qualities required. I don’t think you can underestimate the influence he has had on the run we’ve had, and the influence he has on the squad. What he does often goes unnoticed, but he has played a major, major part in what we have achieved, because he shows the rest of the players what has been required.

He’s been at a club that has won things, and he knows what it takes to do that. He is a professional in everything he does, and he makes sure we do it the right way. He knows more than anything that you get nothing for a pat on the back in February. To win something you have to keep your consistency right through to May, and he works hard on getting that through to the squad.

I can see him being a coach at Everton when he finishes. He’s got plenty of years playing left in him, because he has always looked after himself, but he could become a coach here." (21/02/09)

Best Form Of The Season

Everton go into the FA Cup tie on monday full of confidence following the 1-1 draw on Monday. The Everton skipper thinks the team are going into the game in the best form of the season.

Phil says: "We are going into this game in our best form of the season so we have got nothing to lose. We have got to make sure we come out of games like this one without regrets and content we have given it our all. The result on Monday shows that we are halfway there but that's all it is.

We need to take confidence from Monday's result into the next three games, as we have got some terrific fixtures in the next 10 days. We went out with a bit of a whimper in some of the games against the top four teams last season but our last three efforts have been a step in the right direction.

The aim before the match was to make sure we didn't fall flat on our faces, particularly after what had happened earlier this season and on our previous trip to Anfield. We have got to make sure that we come out of these games without regrets and content that we have given it our all.

The result on Monday shows we are halfway there but that's all it is. We will treat this game as another free hit. We've got nothing to lose. I hope there are some similarities with what happened at West Ham last season. We are going into this game in our best form of the season. What have we got to lose?" (23/01/09)

I Just Love It

He's been spat at, had things thrown at him, and abuse hurled his way, and that's just from his missus, but Everton Skipper Phil Neville just loves playing in matches against the shite, and he can't wait for the the double header against them next week. He also had a little pop at The Fat Spanish Waiter warning him that Sir Alex of manure will eat him for dinner when it comes to mind games.

Phil says: "It's something I really enjoy - if they didn't do that I'd be worried. I love the atmosphere of Liverpool-Everton games, it's one of the things that drew me to the Club.

I would say the last two derby performances we haven't done ourselves justice. We have flattered to deceive and not done what we set out to achieve. On Monday night hopefully we will put that right. We need to produce the kind of form we have been showing. I think they will know we have improved since we last played them. They will know we are in good form, and I'm sure they've done their homework.

It's all about us on Monday night, it's about going there with no fear, taking the game to Liverpool and giving it our all. I think these things are absolutely brilliant for football – it’s what sets our league apart from any other league in the world.

You don’t see Spanish La Liga managers doing things like that. It’s fantastic viewing from the outside and it’s going to be a fantastic end to the season I’m sure. I don’t think you can beat Sir Alex at mind games. Experience is a great thing and when you’re going for titles you need experience and he’s the king." (15/01/09)

Small Squad Big Heart

The Everton captain thinks a close, small, tight-knit squad works for Moyesy, but he would be happy to see some more top players coming to Goodison Park.

Phil says: “We are resilient and always have been. We have got a group of players who are prepared to play with injuries. For instance, Ossie (Leon Osman) had a late fitness test and probably shouldn’t have played against City. The lads in this team will play for you when they are injured. They play out of position and they get on with it when you ask them. It is great when you have a group like that.

I get asked at coaching seminars ‘what is team spirit?’ Team spirit comes from winning games, when there is a real togetherness. It would have been easy for us to get down ourselves after losing to Villa, and the fact we didn’t have any strikers. But these players wanted to bounce back immediately. They deserve credit for that. It is hard to get out there, roll your sleeves up, play with injuries, play without forwards and not feel sorry for yourselves.

Since I’ve joined the club, the players that the manager has been bringing in have been getting better and better each season. That obviously will keep improving and we do probably need to add to the squad again in the summer – you do every summer – but that’s the managers job, that’s what he’s paid to do.

As players it’s a two-fold thing. You want the best players playing here but, the smaller the squad, the more opportunities you have to play games. We’ve always worked on a small squad here and it’s always worked to our benefit." (18/12/08)

Last Of The Leaders

Moyesy believes his skipper is the last of a dying bread of leaders in football and encourages youngsters to look at the way he does things.

Moyesy says: ‘People wouldn’t understand how good a skipper he is. He came here with brilliant habits. He wants to win. His preparation is as good as I’ve seen from a professional. Every game, the preparation is the same. His eating, his recovery, his rest - he’s preparing for longevity in his career if he can. All young players should look at how he does that.

Phil Neville is one of the last type of leaders in football. There’s not many like him at football clubs these days. There is a lack of that type of personality in football now. But Phil has still got that.’ (29/10/08)

United Players Should Apologise To Everton Captain

Moyesy has backed the tackle Phil Neville made which seen him getting booked on Saturday, because Ronaldo rolled over and over like a kid rolling down the hill in the park. He also commented on the reaction of Giggs, Ferdinand and Van der Saar, who ran from one half of the pitch to the other to tell the ref to book the Everton captain, because of the pathetic reaction of Ronaldo.

Moyesy says: “There was no doubt it was a good tackle so Phil shouldn’t, in any way, be getting questioned about it. I don’t think you can rescind a yellow card, can you? But I didn’t think for a minute he was going to get a card. Even if he had been a touch late, you would have to say that Vidic’s tackle on Saha was a touch late as well. I heard a right crack, I was worried (for Louis) when I saw it, I thought something had gone.

Did I think Neville was going to get a red card? No, I didn’t. I thought he might have been a touch late in getting there when I first saw it, but now I’ve had a chance to see it again he was spot on. There should be a few of their players going to Phil Neville saying, ‘Hey, we got that wrong, good tackle lad’.

The worst tackle in the game was no doubt Vidic on Louis Saha. We had Tim Cahill sent off in a similar area of the field (against Liverpool) and are you telling me that his warranted a red and that one warranted a yellow?

All I can say is that, at the time, I wasn’t sure if Phil had been a second late, but since I’ve seen it, it’s clear it was a terrific tackle. It was a spot-on tackle from an honest professional who was determined to try and get his result today and that for me was great to see. I like players who wear their heart on the sleeve and he certainly does for us.” (27/10/08)

One Of The Best

Everton Skipper Phil Neville is delighted that Moyesy has signed on for the next five years, and he rates his Boss as one of the best he has played under. He has played under a few as well, Sir Alex, King Kev, Sexy Sven, Mystic Glenn and top of the shop Malcolm McClaren. Phil never once doubted Moyesy signing his contract and he believes the club is now going places. First place to go is the Emirates this weekend, so lets not get beat at least.

Phil says: "He’s a fantastic young manager and with the way that he’s built this Club up since he’s got the job shows that he’s a top, top manager and one of the best that I’ve played under. He’s a massive reason why I signed a new contract in the summer, because I wanted to play under him. It’s fantastic news for the Club and every Evertonian will be pleased. The success that the Club has had over the past six years is largely down to the gaffer and continuity is the way to go forward and bring success to a club.

When you have a manager that is as driven, as professional and as hungry as our manager, then you want to keep him. It’s a five-year deal and that says to me that we’re going places.

We went up to the Lakes with the families in pre-season as a bit of a team-building trip and he made a speech that night saying he was going to be here for a very long time, so we just had to trust him that he was. He was true to his word and now it’s done and dusted we just have to look forward to the next five years." (16/10/08)

Better Squad Now

Phil thinks we have a better squad than last season, but it will take time to settle.

Phil says: “I don’t think what’s happened at Manchester City and Aston Villa recently has made it more difficult in the short term. Success doesn’t just happen overnight. Sure, the two teams have brought great players but it takes time for a team to settle and be moulded. We’re finding that out for ourselves at the moment, but the nucleus has been here now for three or four years and hopefully that longevity of the squad will see us through. I still feel we have a better squad than last year with better players.” (13/10/08)

Rally Cry

These rally cries from the skipper are getting on my nerves. Not for the things he says but because he feels he has to do them. The only way he will stop doing them is to start winning games. So please chaps let's start winning games.

Phil says: We need to start winning our home games.We haven’t given our fans anything to shout about at Goodison. We owe them a performance.

“As a captain, I can say the team wants to give our fans something to shout about. They had such high expectations for the season and we’ve let them down so far.Let’s get three points and give our fans something to shout about for a change. It has to be our aim and if it’s not we may as well pack our bags and call this the end of the season.

“The manager will not let us think anything else than fourth place being our aim. A couple of wins and you are right back in the hunt.”

“We need to show the character we showed in 2005 again. Everyone goes on about the spirit of the club, fans and players – well now we need to show that in abundance.
There’s no point sulking about going out of the UEFA Cup. We need to get up that league and push for fifth or fourth place.

“The UEFA Cup was such a fantastic competition for us last year so it hurts – the same with the Carling Cup. But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to pick ourselves up and beat Newcastle on Sunday. If we do that we go into the top half of the table and we kick on.(04/10/08)

Were All Hurting

Skipper Phil Neville is denying that Moyesy's contract saga is impacting on their own performances, but admits that things are not right this season. Understatement of the year up to now Phil, and if reports are true, things have been said to Moyesy by some of his senior squad over this season's failings. Come Friday morning though, things could be on the up if the result in Belgium goes our way. Believe, always believe, its part of being a Blue !!

Phil says: "I’d be lying if I said everything has been plain sailing since we finished fifth. But there are things that should not really impact on us. I’ve heard suggestions that the Manager’s contract has had an effect but that is not true.

I’ve not heard it mentioned in the dressing room once. The only thing the players are bothered about is getting good results for this club and we are all hurting that we haven’t done that consistently yet. But, take it from me, we intend to change that this week." (01/10/08)

Defending - It's A Team Thing

Although the Everton captain has held his hand up for his mistake which led to the second goal conceded against Hull on Sunday, he reckons the whole team needs to tighten things up.

Phil says: "I was poor for the second goal on Sunday and should have cleared it. So you take responsibility for that and that's what everyone needs to do. You get given a man before the game and it's up to you to stop your man scoring. It's not rocket science.

"We see Sunday as two points dropped in the end. Even though we had a game in midweek we finished the stronger team. But we have to cut out this aspect of our game where we have to score three goals to win a game. It's a team thing and something we need to improve on quickly.

"But in general in the first half we probably allowed them too much space to get the ball to the front men and that's something we need to eradicate. Scoring goals is not an issue, but sometimes you can see goals and you are open all over the pitch, because you're looking to score all the time. It's a team thing. It's not just the defenders or the goalkeeper. it's the whole team which needs to tighten up just a little bit in all areas. Maybe make it a little bit harder for teams to play against us. " (23/09/08)

The Season Starts Now

The skipper is pleased the transfer window is over and that the team can concentrate on the next game against Stoke on Sunday.

Phil says: “We’re all a little bit disappointed with the start to the season. We could have played better and, in particular, we could have defended better. You looked at the squad we started the season with and you thought our strong point was in defence. It’s not worked out that way. Our season officially starts when we go to Stoke because we need to hit the ground running now. We can’t play catch up.

I’m so happy that the transfer window is closed now. We can all put to bed who we’re signing, who we’re not signing and we can concentrate on the task ahead. We’ve got a stronger squad now than what we had last season so there are no excuses now and no feeling sorry for ourselves. Let’s cut the rubbish out and let’s get back winning matches.” (09/09/08)

Four More Years

Phil Neville has signed this morning a four year extension to his contract that will keep him at the Club till 2012 when he will be 35 years old. Phil had no hesitation in putting pen to paper on a new contract as he believes that the Blues are heading in the right direction under Moyesy's tutorship. Well played Phil lets just put a silver lining on this season come 2009.

Phil says: "First of all I am really proud that the club has offered me a 4-year contract. I've been here three seasons now and I have to say that I've loved every minute of it. I'd like to think that I have immersed myself into the club culture. It's something I had to do after being at one club for about 16 years but it was easy for me to do because from day one this club sucks you in. From the outside looking in you don't know what to expect but I found when I came here that the spirit and the togetherness of the club is fantastic.

Loyalty is a big thing in my life and this is the only club that I want to play for. It's a great club and I want to finish my career here. At the end of last season I spoke to the manager, and the chairman and it was quite easy. When you've got two parties who want the same deal and are happy with each other these things only take a couple of hours. I can't understand players who go into negotiations for six months because that tells me that one party involved isn't happy about things. But that wasn't the case with us. It took one meeting and one telephone call and it was as easy as that.

I wouldn't have signed if the club wasn't moving forward. We've just got to trust the manager and let him do his job. He's not going to let this club take a backward step after the last few seasons. It was without doubt the biggest challenge I've ever had in my career. I had to prove to people that I could become a blue and love playing for Everton and I'd like to think I've done that." (25/07/08)

In Moyes We Trust

Blues Skipper Phil Neville is targeting a trophy this season, and in turn he will become the first Everton player since Dave 'Waggy' Watson to lift some silverware for the Boys in Blues. But before we can think of lifting trophies come 2009, Phil like every other Evertonian knows that we have to strengthen our squad to achieve success. The Captain is not too worried by the lack of transfer activity at Goodison this Summer, and believes come the end of the transfer deadline, Moyesy will have several new faces battling to be in the first eleven for the coming season.

Skipper Phil says: "We need to make sure we climb that mountain again this season, it is going to be very difficult but I am sure everyone believes we can maintain the form we have shown over last three or four seasons. That's our aim this season and hopefully we can come out of this season with a trophy under our belt.

You leave all the worrying up to the manager because my main worry is the players who are injured. We need them back fit as we have five or six players who would get in our starting 11 all injured, we need them back and we need them to do a pre-season. Signings you leave up to the manager and I don't think many clubs are signings players as it looks like a difficult market at the moment. I think as time goes on towards the deadline you will see clubs being more active in the transfer market and I am sure we will be the same.

We go on tour to America next week and I am sure when we come back the manager will strengthen the squad. For the trophies we are aiming for and the competitions we are playing in, we will need a bigger squad than what we have got at minute. We have lost four or five from last season, so we probably need four or five more players just to bolster the squad. We have always gone into the season with a smaller squad than most and the UEFA Cup campaign does take a lot out of you, so four or five players will see us right for next season." (22/07/08)

New Signings Will Come I Think

Phil Neville is confident that new faces will be at Goodison before the Summer is out, though he ominously warns that if they are not the likes of Tiny and Mikky will feel like new signings after their injury nightmares from last season are now behind them. Phil is with the rest of the squad in Switzerland where on Saturday they open up their friendly fixtures for the Summer against FC Sion.

Phil says: "I think every club is waiting for one other club to make a move. I think you’ll see one big transfer and then all of a sudden everyone else will start buying players. I don’t think Everton fans should worry too much about us signing too many players because of the quality in the squad.

I’m sure the manager will strengthen the squad but I’m more looking forward to getting Tim Cahill back because we missed him for four or five months of the season. Bainesy missed part of it and we probably didn’t see enough of Mikel Arteta after Christmas because of his injury. These types of players are going to be like new players for us next season." (10/07/08)

Get Ready For The Ride

Phil Neville is hoping that he and his Everton team mates don't let last seasons successful campaign go to waste, and he is hoping for more from the Blues this season. With a great run in the UEFA Cup, a last four in the League Cup, coupled with a fifth place finish for the lads, it was the Blues best season in many a long year, and Skipper Phil wants more of it. If Blue Bill gives Moyesy some cash for more quality, Phil is adamant that us the fans will get another roller coaster ride this coming season. That's what being a Blue is all about, and that's why we love 'em.

Phil says: "We just have to kick on and show the same determination, confidence and consistency that we showed last season. It is early days yet but I’m excited already about the season to come. For me and the rest of the players the European experience last season was fantastic but we also got to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, which everybody seems to have forgotten about a little bit because of our European exploits.

They really capt-ured the imagination of the fans and the players alike and we had some great occasions at Goodison. It would be great to go on a bigger adventure this year and I am sure the fans will love to be along for the ride!" (05/07/08)

New Faces Will Help The Challenge For Fourth Place

The Everton skipper expects to see new faces when the team meets up for pre-season training next month and to be focused on trying to break into the top four in the Premiership.

Phil says: "With the European Championships, a lot of managers are out there looking at players. You will see in the next couple of weeks that once teams start going out of the championships you'll see the transfer market hotting up. I think a lot of teams have got money out there and a lot of teams want to do better this season than what they did last. It's up to us to keep improving and sign a few players to make sure we're still ahead of everybody else below us.

I think we owe it to everybody in the league to make sure the top four are consistently challenged because it would be a boring league if, every year, the same four teams finish in the top four. We did it three years ago and finished in a Champions League position in fourth place, so that's our aim this season." (17/06/08)

No Foreign Money Men Please

The shite have them, manure have them, Chelski have one, as do Shitteh, but Blues Skipper Phil Neville is pleased that Everton are not run by foreign investors. With the Thai Prime Minister and The Russian Billionaire picking the players that come to their club, Phil is happy that a supporter is at the controls of Everton, as importantly we keep our identity if not sack full's of cash. Would be nice though if he was a tadge richer, just a few more West End productions Bill and were laughing kidda'.

Phil says: "The chairman is a massive Everton fan, and there's no way he will let some Russian or American come in and destabilise our club. You have seen it with the Americans at Liverpool, you have seen it with Russian owners, they are a rule to their own. It does cause embarrasment sometimes for the club and that hopefully won't happen at Everton.

I'm sure as long as Bill Kenwright is at the club, it won't happen because he has got the best interests of the club at heart. It is the People's Club and it would be great to have that sort of finance, but you have got to keep the principles of the club intact as well.

I must say, the Aston Villa owner (Randy Lerner) has conducted himself in the right way. The year before I left United there were people worried about how the Glazers would run the club but they have put themselves right in the background, not meddled in team affairs, and backed the manager to the hilt - and it's the same at Villa as well. It is about the team and the fans, not the owner." (13/06/08)