18. Phil Neville 2005/06
18. Phil Neville 2005/06 |
|
|
With Phil Neville missing out on his third World Cup, Moyesy is mystified, but from a selfish point of view happy, that most of his squad will have fresh legs come August. Phil with 50 odd caps to his name, and a full season playing instead of sitting on his bum at Cold Trafford, still in Sexy Sven's eyes did not do enough to warrant a call up. All at Goodison know better though. Put your feet up Phil, have a blow, and we will see you next season. Moyesy says: "I thought Phil deserved to be in the squad. But he'll now get a good break and he'll be ready for us when he comes back in pre-season. From a selfish point of view, if he doesn't go to the World Cup he will be kept fresh. I spoke to him before the squad was named and I think his expectation was that he would get into the squad, so that was obviously a sickener for him." (17/05/06) Phil Neville has no regrets leaving manure and joining up with the Blues last Summer, as he classes himself as a Blue now. He always thought the Everton fans were good, but having played in the Royal Blue for a full season now, Phil realises that we are special. Moyesy will no doubt make Nev the Captain next season, and here's to better things ahead for us all. Phil says: "I didn't think the transition from Man United would be easy but it has been. A big part of that was how the players made me feel so welcome so full credit to the boys and the staff. I'd always been a red but now I class myself as a blue and as an Evertonian. Somebody asked me the other day if I feel I belong here and I really do feel a part of this club. The fans make you feel a part of it. From the outside looking in, they look good fans but when you actually play for the club, you realise they're a special kind of people and a special kind of football fan. The away support we've enjoyed this season has been unbelievable and the home support's magnificent too. We fill our stadium every week - Everton is a real football club with passionate people. From beating Sunderland on New Year's Eve through to beating Blackburn in mid-February, the run of games we had was just fantastic. It took us right out of the relegation zone and up into the top half of the table and we gathered so much momentum during that run. But after the Blackburn game, we had a two-and-a-half weeks off and that break really killed us. We probably all relaxed a little bit and we didn’t quite manage to re-gather our form since that point. But that run we had definitely fills us with hope for next season. In those 11 to 12 games we played from the Sunderland game up until Blackburn, we played unbelievable football. We beat some of the top teams and competed against those top teams as well. It wasn't as if we were hanging on. We were actually dominating those games and the confidence we got was going from game to game. I have to say I think the break came at just the wrong time for us." (09/05/06) Nearing his first full season Phil now feels like an Evertonian, thinks he wouldn't have been sent off at Fulham if he was still a United player and feels excited at the prospect of going to the world cup. Phil says: "I feel like an Evertonian now. They are a special kind of people. When you look from the outside, you hear former managers and players talking about a special kind of fan and you just think, oh, all fans are the same. But these are different; Everton is their lives. They don't demand Ronaldinho-skill but, as they put it, if you put in your shift you'll do, win, lose or draw. That impresses me. I hadn't been sent off in my career before joining Everton, but now I've been sent off twice. My disciplinary record this season has been shocking, but then there have been times when if I was in the same situation with Man United I wouldn't have been booked. I was sent off at Fulham; if I was a Man United player I wouldn't have even got a yellow card. I don't feel anxious about England, I feel excited. I know it's going to be tight for me to get in. I wasn't named in the last squad but I hope I'm still in Sven's thoughts. I just want to be in that 23. I think you find out by text message or on Teletext. I've not booked summer holidays. I'll wait until 8th May. " (01/05/06) Moyesy once again is talking up Phil Neville's England claims, with only a week or two left till the Swedish lothario selects his 22 for Germany. The Everton vice Captain has played in numerous positions for the Blues this season, and that's what makes Moyesy think, he is the right man for Sven's squad, as his performance level has never dropped. Moyesy says: "He has played a lot of games for us this season and he has had to play in different positions but he has approached them all in the same professional way. When you think of the injuries that we have had to Alessandro Pistone, Gary Naysmith and Nuno Valente and now Tony Hibbert, if we hadn't had someone with Phil's ability to play both positions we'd have been in trouble. I don't think we would have been able to cope. He is a model professional and we've been very pleased with the way he's fitted into the squad. We are very pleased with him. He has had to play right or left-back, as well in the centre of midfield. He's also played as a central defender, too. Phil has played really well and I think he has been in really good form. Hopefully, he will get selected for the World Cup. It's not my position to tell anyone who to pick. But all I would say to Phil is keep doing what he is doing. He is on top of his game." (28/04/06) Moyesy is talking up Phil Neville's chances of making the World Cup Squad this Summer. The versatile midfielder, cum defender has seen his chances of going to Germany rise, after injuries to Ashley Cole, Luke Young, and Sol's Campbell's problems have surfaced, plus he's shit anyway. Moyesy would have no hesitation in bringing along Phil, and he hopes Sven's loyalty to some players in his squad extends to Phil. Moyesy says: "Going to the World Cup means a lot to him. Some players might think twice about going over there for a month if they are not guaranteed any football, but Phil's not like that. He feels part of the England set-up and he would love to be involved. He has been driving everybody on in recent weeks, and his performances have been up to his best again after he had a little dip. We played him at full-back on Saturday - largely because I wanted to give Lee Carsley an opportunity - and Phil played very well. His versatility makes him so valuable. He can play left-back, right-back and he never lets you down. You can ask him to do any job and he will always do it to the best of his ability. He's even played centre-back for us at times this season. Sometimes you need players like him in the team if you are a little bit short. Sven is very loyal. When you have been in and around the squad for something like four years, which Phil has, then I think if there is one player deserving to go it is Phil Neville because of the type of player he is." (12/04/06) Focus On Everton & England Will Follow Playing well for Everton is all Phil can do. He hopes he will then be in the England squad announced on 8th May 2006. Phil says: ''I've got to focus on playing well for Everton to give myself the best opportunity to be selected for the international squad. There are maybe 30 players all vying for 23 places, I'm not sure how many he's taking but everyone is in the same boat and I don't think there are too many places up for grabs. So at the moment, the pressure is on even more. I'm trying to get in to the final squad. I'm just going to enjoy the final games and hopefully, when the squad is named on May 8, my name will be in it.'' (11/04/06) If Everton finish in the top ten this season it will be the first time we have done it two seasons on the bounce since the Premiership started. Phil says: "I think somebody told me that this club hasn't finished in the top 10 for two seasons running so that is another aim for us. We had a great season last year when we finished fourth. In the past when we have had a good season we have followed it up with a disappointing one, so I think the manager is looking for a bit of consistency so if we can finish in the top ten. Hopefully seventh and eighth is the finish we are looking at now, if we can play to our potential, and that would be classed as another successful season for this club. To finish fourth then eighth and to get that run going in the Premiership means that this club is going in the right direction. I think you come to this stage of the season and throughout my career I have always been in the thick of the action at the time when the pressure has really been on. For me, although we are not challenging for the title, I have two main goals, and that is to get Everton into seventh or eighth position and If we do achieve that I class that as just as big an achievement as all my other achievements. Obviously there is a World Cup at the end of the season too so the next five games for me are all cup finals." (09/04/06) Phil Neville is learning quick about Everton and their London excursions. The Capital is never a happy hunting ground for the Blues, and Phil believes we have always looked like conceding goals when on our travels. It is something the boys have been working on, and hopefully at Charlton the hard work will pay off. Phil says: "We have, on our travels, been looking like we could concede the odd goal so we need to make sure we look solid. We have been working on it and because we have been so good at attacking, we have all been charging forward - not just individually it has been a collective thing, we have been a bit loose all over the pitch and we just need to tighten up, particularly when you go down to London where we haven't got the best of records. We need to be solid at Charlton it is a difficult place to go and play. They have got two very quick centre forwards. I see Charlton as a similar team to us in that they play high energy, they get the ball forward and they are a very honest team. They have a centre forward in Darren Bent who is been one of the in-form strikers this season, in his first season in the Premiership. I have trained with him with England and he is lightning quick, and he can take a chance when it comes his way. So if ever we needed to be solid, it will be on Saturday because Darren Bent can score goals from anything." (07/04/06) Phil thinks Everton let themselves down for not fully taking advantage of the redshite when they were down to 10 men. Phil says: "The first goal was always going to be crucial and I hold my hands up. It was my mistake and in a way it cost us the game. It was a derby match that we went into in the best possible form. It was nicely set up. With them down to 10 men so early in the game it was even better set up for us. "But we didn't play after Gerrard was sent off. It happens sometimes. When teams lose a player, they become more resilient. It fires them up even more and we didn't take the game by the scruff of the neck. I don't think I have played in a game where there have been so many fouls. It was so stop-start. It suited Liverpool more than us but the feeling is one of bitter disappointment." (27/03/06) Hammers manager Alan Pardew has apologised to Phil Neville after they exchanged words and made naughty signs to each other. Pardew says: "I am a bit disappointed with myself and I have apologised to him on that. There was a tackle right in front of me and Phil said something unsavoury. I was weak enough to react to that - I should have been stronger. It was a frustrating game for me in terms of managing the team because things weren't happening for us in the second half that I wanted to happen. We didn't retain or pass the ball, we didn't play backwards to keep it or rest with the ball. Sometimes you look in the groove and I thought they looked more in the groove than us over the course of the game. It was a below par performance. In the end we got out of jail." (06/03/06) England manager, Sven has explained that the good lookin chuckle brother is still in his plans and he hasn't dumped Phil. Sven says: "Phil Neville still has the opportunity to come to Germany. He should not worry too much about missing this squad. We will see what is happening in May. The Swede said the reason that the utility man did not feature in the squad was to allow other players a chance to impress. But he pointed to some facets of Neville's game which made him a strong contender for the final squad. Phil Neville is always one in my mind, because he is not only a good football player, he can play in different roles and he is an extremely good man to have with you for a long time in a squad. I know what Phil Neville can do and I wanted to look at some younger players this time. "It's not too late for them, but maybe they are not first on my list at the moment. But you never know what might happen with injuries." (02/03/06) Blues Legend and World Cup Winner Alan Ball is as mystified as everyone else that Top Gun and War of The Worlds star, Tom Cruise has not been selected for tonight's friendly against Uruguay. Bally reckons Tom's form has been excellent since his move from manure last Summer, and he is a leading contender for Player of The Season. Check out bluekipper's Starman for this season, as the final few games are upon us. Bally says: "Phil Neville has been smashing since he arrived at the club last summer. He must be vying for the player of the season title. I would have looked at him in the England squad. But, from the player's point of view, you can only do what he has done for his club and that has been terrific." (01/03/06) Phil's reaction from being dropped is what we have come to expect from him. A complete professional approach. He is proving all the time of what a top man he is and what a signing he has been. When I got dropped from the team I used to play for I told the manager to shove it up his hoop. That was the day that 12 turned up. Phil says: " It was a surprise to me. I have been in the squad for the last four years really under Sven so it was a bit of a disappointment but the good thing now is that I have got 11 games to play well to make sure that I cement my place in the World Cup squad. It has been one of my most enjoyable seasons, and I just hope that I carry on for the next 11 games. I have not put too much pressure on myself for the World Cup and I won't do for the next 11 games. I can't do any more than what I am doing at club level, so the next 11 games are important for Everton and if I get the bonus to go to the World Cup then that would be a great end to the season. To go to the World Cup is the pinnacle for every player and I have missed out on the two previous times so this would be a great chance for me and I am still confident that I can get into the squad. If I was at the World Cup then came back to Everton in Europe then that would be great." (28/02/06) David Moyes has expressed his surprise at the omission from the England Squad of Phil Neville for tomorrow's nights match against Uruguay at Analfield. With this the last squad before sexy Sven picks his final twenty odd in May, it seems odd that Phil who has won over 50 odd caps for his Country has been left out. It seems that if he was to play in manure's reserves he would have a better chance. As bluekipper said last week over Tony Hibbert's chances of England selection, it seems the Swedish Manager has his blinkers on when selecting players from outside the so called top clubs. Phil who moved to the Blues in the Summer of 2005 has been playing out of his skin of late, and no doubt he will be bitterly disappointed over the Swede's decision. Moyesy says: "I was surprised not to see him in the squad. The England manager shows a lot of loyalty to his players and I expected to see him there. Phil has had quite a severe kick in the nuts. The best way for Phil to answer it is for the England manager to come along and watch him in his next three games. People who know Phil and people who have worked with him at Manchester United know he is the ultimate professional. He is a keen trainer and he is very patriotic about his country. All he can do is keep working hard and hope that Mr Eriksson comes to watch a few Everton matches soon. He only ever speaks well of the England set-up and the things that are going on there." (28/02/06) Phil is chuffed at the way the never say die attitude of the players compliments the fighting spirit of the fans. Phil says: "The team's work ethic doesn't surprise me as every pulls together, and the fans do as well. The work ethic is the most impressive thing here and probably the reason I came to the club. They say Everton are the people's club, and it really is. Everyone mucks in together and there is no better atmosphere. You wouldn't get an atmosphere in any other ground like you had here at Goodison on Saturday. It was really special. Somebody said at half-time it was the kind of circumstance made for Everton Football Club. You could see at the end it is probably embroidered in the club's tradition now, and I think the fans would probably prefer to win like that than a four or five-nil stroll. It's the way this club has been brought up. And I must admit it is a great feeling when you all stick together and win a game like that. We've got a two-week break now until our next game and I think it was right that we all celebrated out on the pitch. It was as if what happened early on this season made us stronger. The bigger the obstacle, the more the challenge, it brings out the best in Everton. There's always been that never-say-die attitude here. We've
been on the brink of the top 10 for some weeks now, but I think we are
there on merit because of the run we have put together," said Neville
in the aftermath of Everton's latest success. This
was probably our biggest test, coming on the back of Wednesday night's
defeat at Chelsea where we didn't really do ourselves justice. We got
back to winning ways against a decent Blackburn side. Phil
wants to make sure that Everton take advantage of the 7 Premiership
games at home. If we play anything like the standards that we set last season, then we are going to be a top half of the table team, maybe pushing for sixth or seventh place. If we don't and we play like we did in the first half of the season, we'll be in a dog fight. The key now is to make Goodison a real fortress. We need to keep this run going and carry on this consistent form. We are beginning not to concede goals at the moment. Sometimes you think to yourself 'don't say anything' because it can sometimes tempt fate. But we are a lot more solid and we are creating chances as well. I think maybe 60 per cent of our games are at home now until the end of the season and looking at it on paper, there are games that we should be winning. If we reach the standards we know we can, we won't have a problem." (25/01/06) Phil Neville is rating his move to the Blues as the best footballing decision he has ever made. Phil was the Sky pundit yesterday as manure turned over the shite with a ninetieth minute winner in a tense game at Old Trafford. Ha, ha, ha, sorry I shall carry on, I got a bit carried away there. Phil also believes that the team is heading in the right direction after Saturdays win over the Arse, which he rates as the best game the boys have played all season. Oh I never felt more like singing the Blues, when Everton win, and the shite lose......, you know the rest. Phil says: "It's been the best move ever. I think I've not looked back yet. It's the first time I've had a chance to come back to Old Trafford. I don't regret the move one little bit. I'm playing with a great manager and a great set of lads. Playing every week is what a professional footballer wants to do. That's what I'm doing at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it. I didn't move particularly to enhance my England chances, I just wanted regular first team football. I've joined a club that's got the same work ethic as I have got. They're all down to earth lads and hopefully I'll be playing every week and can impress the England manager. Hopefully, we're on our way up now. It was our best performance of the season, beating a very good Arsenal side. We're on a bit of a good run now and we've got Chelsea in the FA Cup next week. We can approach that game now and give it a right go. I think we've looked at performances of other teams that have had success against Arsenal and that's been the reason why they've beaten them. We played a lot of balls forward early on and we've got James Beattie up front, who will run through a brick wall for you. They didn't enjoy it and he was the catalyst for victory. Hopefully, we're looking at the top half now. When you're down in 16th or 17th, you can always get sucked into it. We've seen, over the years, teams who think they're too good to go down get sucked in there and end up being relegated." (23/01/06) Phil was chuckling to himself when he thought about being Everton captain at Pompey. Phil says: "Being given the captaincy at Everton so soon - I got it for the Bucharest game - was one of the proudest moments of my career. I have never captained a team for a sustained period of time.It was a great honour. I'm not foolish enough to expect it all the time. David Weir is the club captain and when he plays he gets the arm-band straight away. He got it as soon as he came on against Portsmouth. But it is a tremendous honour and hopefully I can pass on my experience when I am captain. Although, whoever is captain, it is still my job to pass on my experience. It was a vital win. The feeling within the camp was that Portsmouth was a hugely important game. We said before the Bolton and West Ham games last month that if we did well it would determine whether we pushed on up the table or be in a relegation battle. At the time, we lost both games and we thought we were in a real relegation fight. But at the moment, with these last three results, there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully we can look up rather than down." (16/01/06) Phil thinks we can finish in the top ten. He must have said it before Moyesy said there's little chance of signing another striker. Phil says: "In terms of the league situation, before we played Sunderland and Charlton it felt like we were really in the mire. Everybody was down but with two massive wins under our belt in the league we now look at the table and start thinking about climbing and putting a run together. If we can put a run together we can start looking at moving up a few places because it is very tight down at the bottom. Right up to 10th position there are not many points between the sides and a couple of wins can take you right up there. Although we have got to be a little bit cautious, with the players and ability we have got we should be looking at 10th position and higher. (09/01/06) Phil is hoping to be recalled to first team duties after his suspension. Everton won the two games he was missing so he might find it difficult to get back in. But Phil is buzzing at the moment. Phil chuckled: "I know I have got to fight to get my place back in team. But I am looking forward to that challenge and to get back playing again. Obviously, I had time off last weekend but this week I have worked hard, I feel fresh and I am buzzing to get back. I am just hoping to get back into the team now and get back playing. There is no greater occasion than a FA Cup match." (06/01/06) Moyesy isn't happy they way Phil was sent off along with our tater in the Derby. For Phil it was the second time he's been sent off this season. Moyesy says: "In the end the two boys were stupid and I have told them so. They were both on a booking and they should have known better. Now they will both miss matches when we least can afford that. They wanted to show they cared, and I would rather have them that way than not. But they let their team-mates down - even if they were trying to do the best they could." (30/12/05) Phil Neville recognizes we are in deep shit and the sooner we get out of the shit the better. Phil says: "We lost 4-0 last week, 4-0 at Villa on Boxing Day and 4-0 at West Brom recently. If I was an Everton fan I'd be disappointed with the way the team is playing at the moment. A couple of weeks ago when we drew at Old Trafford we maybe got ourselves a little bit carried away by looking at the top half of the table with two homes games to come. But the realisation now is that we are in a real dogfight and this Christmas period is crucial to all of us. "You hear it every season, don't you? You always think you are too good to go down but when you are down there and are sucked into it, anything can happen so we need to get ourselves out of it - and fast."(28/12/05) With 4 games in 9 days and at least 6 players injured, the full squad needs to be used. Even so Phil thinks the Everton backroom staff are top notch and everyone will be fit for the Christmas period. Phil
Chuckled: "I think this is when all the fitness work we
do from pre-season onwards really becomes so important. People think
you do your fitness work in the week before the games. But in fact,
particularly at Christmas, the week before the rush of games the players
tend to get their rest in because it is such a hectic schedule once
Christmas arrives. The fitness coaches will have looked at this schedule
of games back in November and drawn up plans for the work that needed
to be done then to make sure our base fitness is right for those games. Physically, if you ask the experts they will say it is impossible to play that number of games in such a short space of time in peak condition. Whoever thinks up the fixture list probably needs their head testing. But, nevertheless, I have always enjoyed playing at Christmas because there is a special atmosphere. At this time of year you also need a fair slice of luck with injuries. We have some big games coming up but I can guarantee there will be no excuse ahead of any of the games about tiredness from the players who are available." (25/12/05) Phil reflected on going back to Old Trafford and thought the confidence to have a go at United started when we played Chelsea. Phil says: "Since the Chelsea game when we got a draw, we have started to play the kind of football that the gaffer wants us to play. I'm loving every minute of it and playing every week. The added responsibility of playing in central midfield is making me enjoy my football. Long may it continue. We have got two home games this week and we need to do well. But I enjoyed the game and things went well. We needed an extra man in midfield as I was preoccupied with Wayne Rooney." (12/12/05) Phil Neville went back to Man Utd and was pleased that Everton played with no fear. He also revealed Moyesy had asked him if the other chuckle brother knew their team. Phil says: "It was strange at first standing in the tunnel, but we wanted a result and I'm so glad we put in a performance - sometimes teams get here and are fearful. We had a message from the boss to get into them. I think the thing today was that we took the lead and then took the game to Man Utd, in the end we were counter-attacking and with a bit more quality we could have nicked it. We can take a lot out of this game and move on from here. The boss asked me if my brother knew the United team, but he didn't. It is a big week for us, we have two home games now and we need to do well. Every single player did their bit and Wrighty kept us in the game today, he was the best player in our team." Moyesy says: “I thought Phil was excellent. He went about his job well, he organised us and done a lot of ‘dirty’ jobs just in front of the back-four when we changed things around." (12/12/05) Future Everton Captain Phil Neville has pointed out Joey Yobo's contribution, as another factor as to why the Blues, West Brom apart have hit a vein of form of late. He rightly says, that all the players who were on the pitch against West Brom had a point to prove, but he believes Joey at 25 has all the hallmarks to become a World class centre half. Phil was also touched by Goodison reaction to the death of ex Man United star George Best. The minutes applause was appreciated by Phil, who thought it was fitting to celebrate the players life, rather than mourn his passing. Phil says: "At times Joseph has produced some top class displays in the big games, when it has mattered. That's maybe his third man of the match performance of the season, so it shows the levels that he can play to. I think that everyone at the club realises what a good centre half we have in Joseph. He's only 25 and at that age you will make mistakes. He's no different, but certainly from what I have seen, he's a great centre back. He's always smiling and it's a pleasure to have him in the dressing room - he's one of the most popular players there. But it wasn't just about him - all 11 who played at West Brom had a point to prove because we had all been disappointed with our performance. The death of George Best has gripped the whole nation, not just supporters of Manchester United, and some unbelievable tributes have been paid from some of the most famous people in the world, not only football. I thought the chanting and the applause in the minute's tribute was very special and very moving. I think rather than mourning him, it was right to celebrate what he did and it was a special moment. I was lucky enough to meet him and speak to him. That will go down as one of the most special experiences of my life. As a United fan and player, you grew up with tales of Law, Best and Charlton, and without doubt George was the best player they ever produced. Speaking with him was very special. My dad had told me all about him and every United fan idolised him." (29/11/05) Phil Neville who is used to looking down on the rest, after his time at man ure, is now looking up, wondering what the future holds. He admits that all the players took their foot of the pedal on Saturday, and aim to put right against Newcastle, the wrongs of West Brom. Phil says: "Since Chelsea we thought we had turned our season around but maybe the international break came at the wrong time for us. A few players went away on international duty and maybe we took our foot off the pedal a little bit. We can’t afford to do that, even though we had won a couple of games and drawn one. We are still down there near the bottom and we are in the bottom three now. It will take a good couple of performances to get us out of there. All the players on Saturday took full responsibility for the performance, there were no excuses. Going out on to that pitch we were well prepared and we just didn’t perform. We held our hands up afterwards and said it was all our fault and as a group of players we aim to put that right on Sunday against Newcastle. We are going to work hard all week and hopefully that will pay off on Sunday." (23/11/05) Form Is Temporary, Class Is Permanent Everton new boy Phil Neville said the players and mangers belief never once wavered through our recent bad run. He put our current good form down to players coming back to fitness, and the belief among the players that after a bad start to the campaign they could put things right. He says the right things our Phil, and he is loving every minute at Goodison, and hopefully for many years to come. Phil says: "I was talking to Simon only the other day and we were discussing how we were starting to take it all a bit personally because last season Everton had done so fantastically and then we came in and we don't win a game! But the gaffer has been great. He's kept working us hard, and kept instilling in us that we are a good team. That perseverance and encouragement has worked a treat. The manager even took me aside the other week to assure me that even though things weren't going well at the time, all the things he had said to me when he signed me about the club were still true. I told him that even in the bad times I was still enjoying every minute at the club. As they say, form is temporary and class is permanent. Hopefully that will be the case because we certainly have the players to turn it around." Probably the biggest change has been James Beattie's return to fitness and the fact that we are now playing 4-4-2. Also Andy van der Meyde has given us an extra option. He looks a class player. He joined the club on transfer deadline but, because he joined the club with an injury, we've had to really put him to the back of our mind. The frightening thing about him, though, is that there is definitely much more to come. He's only just got himself fit and is still settling into English football so he's looking like he's going to be a tremendous asset for us. Having him and James Beattie there is a real lift. The manager has asked us to get back to simple football so we've been getting plenty of crosses into the box and that's starting to pay dividends. The thing with James Beattie is that, if you provide the ammunition, he has a proven track record of scoring goals and that is what we were missing at the start of the season. And now that we are playing with both Duncan Ferguson and Beatts upfront, I think Duncan is taking a bit of the pressure off James." ( 08/11/05) ….And If You Know Your History, Phil Does Phil Neville aka Tom Cruise certainly knows is history. In his short time at the Blues he has made a telling impact, and he now believes with the new players settling in, Everton have turned a corner. Ironically it was the defeat against Boro, in the Carling Cup when Tom starting getting positive vibes about the current Blues squad. He likened our performance to that of the Alamo, throwing everything at Boro right till the death. He always felt when he was with man ure that they would always get a game at Goodison, and he again wants to help make it the fortress it once was. Tom says: "I sensed that the other night, even against Middlesbrough. We were still in the game right up until the last few minutes. That has been the strength of this club ever since I've been playing professional football, that right up until the last minute Everton can score one or two goals. It was like the Alamo the other night and that's what we need to maintain. I think maybe putting the two strikers in there now has put us into that positive frame of mind. It means you can get up the pitch and create a lot more. We are still in a relegation battle, but hopefully now there is light at the end of the tunnel. There's a lot of hard work to do, don't get me wrong. We're not going to take our foot off the pedal now. We're hoping this is just the start of things to come. The new players are settling in and there seems to be a better feel among the team. When teams come to Goodison Park, they expect to get battered. That's how I felt when I was with Manchester United. You expected to get battered and can't disappoint the supporters now. We have let ourselves down in a few games and we need to get back to having teams being afraid of coming here. " (04/11/05) Everton's latest left back Phil 'Tom Cruise' Neville is saying that bottle was needed for yesterday's victory at Brum. Phil also points to the lads get together in the Lakes the week before last, were clear the air talks, and canoeing races has led to Everton's up turn in confidence. Tom says: "We had a meeting before we went away for the last batch of internationals and we said ´enough is enough´ and since then our performances have improved. Results had improved a little bit but still we needed to pick up a victory and the game at Birmingham was massive for us. The boss left us in no uncertain terms about what we needed to do. Sometimes you have to show a bit of bottle and there were a lot of determined players out there. Sometimes when you are in the form we are in, it's not pretty at times. But we kept a clean sheet and the players were willing to put their head in where it hurts and tackle all over the pitch and that aggression helped us in putting Birmingham on the back foot for large parts of the game. It was definitely a must-win game for us. It would have opened up a little bit of a gap at the bottom if Birmingham had beaten us but we still believe we are too good to be down there." (31/10/05) I Want To Stay At Everton For The Rest Of My Career Many reports are saying that Phil must be regretting signing for Everton, especially now that they are bottom. Not so. Phil was chuckling when he heard this. Phil says: “I have no regrets about moving to Goodison. I have not thought about United one bit since I have been here. This has been the best move I could have made. I have enjoyed every single day. The results have been bad but I’ve enjoyed every game. I am on a five-year deal and I hope to see the rest of my career out at this football club. All I know is that we are bottom. People tell me a couple of wins might take us to mid-table. I know we are not very far away from being a very good team which will build on last season’s fourth finish." (24/10/05) Phil believes we are too good to go down. Neville even believes Blues can challenge for Europe. Phil says: "We all know we're in a fight now and and sometimes in a fight you've got to roll your sleeves up and do the ugly things. That's what we have to do to win games and with a little bit of luck we can get ourselves out of this. I don't think anyone can believe the position we are in with the players we have got. We're at home to Chelsea next and there'll be no pressure on us because everyone will have probably written us off already. We firmly believe we're good enough to be up in the top half of the table and challenging for European places." (17/10/05) Phil couldn't even raise a lickle chuckle today, as he explained how it felt when the goals went in against Spurs. We know how you feel. Phil says: “At the moment as soon as teams score against us it feels like the end of the world and it is something we have to get out of. At 1-0 down over the years Everton have still been at their best and always been in the game but it is something we are not doing at the moment. We need to be in the game until the last minute. The crowd were starting to get a little bit edgy but a lapse in concentration from us and they score. Their second goal killed us and though we had a couple of chances it was out of our reach. At 1-0 they would have been a little bit jittery but it is just disappointing. The manager said today was a fresh start, the start of our season and I think for 60 minutes we did play better and to be honest it was quite an even game.” (16/10/05) Phil
has been chuckling about Everton's return to form against Bucharest,
which he believes will help to kick-start Everton’s season. He hopes
that Big Dunc can protect him from the Shittee supporters in the same
way that his brother, Gary, used to at Manure. It will be a similar atmosphere to Arsenal. I get stick because I am ex-Manchester United, but it’s all part of the fun. This time I don’t have Gary around to defend me, but I think I’d rather have big Duncan for protection any day.” (01/10/05) Phil Neville has defended himself from the moaning Pires of Arsenal. Phil says: "It didn't surprise me one little bit. Some clubs have different agendas. I make a tackle, win the ball, the referee doesn't give a foul, I don't get booked, and all of a sudden I am a thug. Four days before that, one of their players nearly takes somebody's head off, and they are pleading innocence. How many times have we seen that over the years from Arsène Wenger and Arsenal Football Club? Arsenal are a great team and Robert Pires has come to this country and put in some unbelievable performances. But in English football you have to tackle, and sometimes when you play against these kind of players they think that you aren't allowed to tackle them. It may be a more English type of game, but Everton's strength and my strength is tackling. You can't stand off against Arsenal because they will kill you. We were aggressive on Monday night and they still managed to knock the ball around. My record in football, with just that one sending-off against Fulham, suggests I am not a dirty player. For him to come out and say I deliberately tried to hurt him is insulting. Arsenal's players must have it in their contract that you aren't allowed to touch them. You only have to look at Arsenal's disciplinary record to suggest the problem lies within and not outside the football club. It's been going on for 10 years. Like any manager, Arsène Wenger defends his own players, but there are times when you have to be more honest." (26/09/05) Everton manager, David Moyes has backed his British Bulldog. Moyesy says: "We know the reasons for the rivalry but he didn't shirk it. He didn't hide, he got kicked but he got up and got on with it and didn't complain or feign injury. Good on him, a good British lad! "He was competitive, took the fight to Arsenal and I was pleased with him. Maybe we could have done with a few more like him. He made sure that he stood up to be counted." (21/09/05) Big girls blouse Robert Pires is accusing Phil Neville of deliberately attempting to hurt him during Arse's win on Monday. The French tart who spends more time on his arse than Emily Heskey is adamant that the England International set out to injure him. Go away you knob rot. Typical French, always bleedin' whining. Whining Pires says: "I tackled to get the ball. He didn't. He made the tackle to catch me and he did. I tried to play on but the pain was too bad." (21/09/05) Experienced European Campaigner Phil Neville, has seen it all in his days at man ure. He however has said he has never experienced anything like the away support the team got at Villarreal. If the supporters have anything to do with it, then Blues will be in the next stages of the UEFA Cup come a fortnight. Unfortunately for some supporters, they have not had the chance to get out to Romania. Phil says: "I don’t think I have ever experienced away support like that at any European venue, either watching or being involved. The supporters want more of those kind of evenings and so do the players and if we progress into the group stage of the competition. We don’t see a lot of Romanian football on the television but with the technology that we have nowadays and the preparation that the boss puts into the game we will see and hear a lot about this team and we will be going into the game under no illusions about the strengths and weaknesses of the players and the side in general. Up until now we have just concentrated on ourselves but tonight we will get all the information you need." (15/09/05) Phil Neville who will return to the Everton midfield in Bucharest tomorrow, is telling the fans if the players recreate their performance against Villarreal, they should have no problem, qualifying for the Groups in the UEFA Cup. Champions League Winner Phil, a veteran of the European scene, is looking at a good performance to kick start Everton's piss poor start to the season. Phil says: "It is time to kick start our season and there is no better way than a big European match to do that. It would be a great result for us if we go out there and get something. It is always nice to have the first leg away from home. It means that if you do get a good result then you are coming back to your home ground confident of going through. It doesn't guarantee you success, but it does help and sides do like playing away first. Most sides in Europe are at their best at home, so if you get a good result away it fills you full of confidence for the return leg. I don't think Bucharest are on the same level as Villarreal so if we produce the same performance and workrate and endeavour as we did against Villarreal then I am sure we will get a good result. Our experiences against Villarreal will mean we know we have got to concentrate until the final whistle. In the home game they had two shots on goal and scored both times. We have got to minimise those kind of slip-ups and capitalise more on the chances we are creating because we have got to start scoring more goals." (14/09/05) Phil Neville is available again for Everton after being suspended for the Portsmouth game. He is hoping to get back into the side and help Everton to some great nights in the Uefa Cup. Phil says: “For Everton to have reached the group stage of the Champions League would have been a dream, which is why when I got back home after the Villarreal defeat there was still an empty feeling in my stomach. That’s what the Champions League can do to you, but now the dream is to win the Uefa Cup. There are some great teams in it and there will be some great nights at Goodison.” (13/09/05) Phil Neville joined the fans in thinking that we haven't got a bad passing team(to you, to me, to you, to me), but we need a player to put the ball in the net. He also went top[ of the bad boys league. Phil, chuckling says: "For a large part of the game, I felt we were totally in control," said Neville. "We passed the ball well, probably as well as we have done all season but maybe we lacked a little bit of a killer instinct. That cost us. If you look at all our games, maybe apart from Villarreal away, we have dominated in the first half but we have not managed to score that all important first goal. It was so important that we scored the first goal against Fulham, particularly after the tough week that we have had. "We could have sat back then and invited Fulham on to us. But we didn't capitalise on the possession that we had. Once Fulham scored, we were always chasing the game and when you have had the week that we have had it is very difficult to get back in the game then. When you have a 10-day break for international duty, it is always nice to go away with a victory because you can go away happy and relax. But after a defeat, you do nothing for the next 14 days but think about what you could have done better. "The next 14 days are going to be pretty poor really. It was the first time I have been sent off in my career and it is disappointing because it was in the last minute and it was a bit of a tired tackle." (31/08/05) The players have helped Phil settle in quickly. He now wants to progress with Everton over the next 5 years. Phil says: "In terms of me settling in, I couldn't have asked to join a better set of lads. They are hard working, with a great work ethic and a great team spirit. Every single one of the players has made me feel welcome and I hope my first week at the club continues for the five years I am at the club because I have had a fantastic time already. I always put the team performance first. It was a big game for me personally, but the more important thing was the result. I think you can always judge how well you have played as a team by the fans' reaction and on Tuesday they applauded us off the field. It was a big night for me personally and the fans were excellent to me but the result did not go our way. My aim now, and the manager's aim as well, is to move on from last season. Not to stand still, not to take a backwards step. Now we still hope we can hopefully qualify for the Champions League group stages and then continue with the progression in terms of Premiership positions. Everton have set a benchmark now here, and it is up to the players to keep that going. We have a manager that won't accept anything but the performances that were produced last season, which were great. It's up to every single player to live up to those expectations, because they are going to be greater this coming season with the finish the club achieved last term in the league and with Champions League football now a real incentive. That is the kind of pressure I have always played with and always enjoyed playing under. I hope that the other players are the same." (12/08/05) Moyes was pleased with Phil Neville's mom display against Villarreal in the Champions League and he believes he can make a big impact at Goodison. Moyesy said: “Phil is a very bossy player, a good holding midfielder. He is very talkative as well, giving information out to the rest of the lads as well, which is very helpful. He put a great cross in for the goal and delivered some other good passes as well. Hopefully Phil will have a major role to play in the whole season. He has a lot of experience at Champions League level, so hopefully we can call on that.” (10/08/05) Killa says: "He is a big boost for us. He has won a hell of a lot of trophies at Manchester United and he has played a big part in their success. He has played his entire career at Manchester United and that means he has an unbelievable level of experience of the Premier League, Europe and international football. The fact we have signed a player with Champions League experience tells you everything about where the club wants to go," the Republic of Ireland international added. I think it is a big coup for us to get Phil because he is a very good player and he is still only 28. He has a lot of years left in the game and he will help us a lot." (07/08/05) The Toffeeman and The Neville Brothers Phil Neville got lost on the way to Bellefield yesterday and pulled over on Queens Drive to ask directions. The fella he asked was a Toffeeman. Nothing unusual in that, as 75% of Scousers are Evertonians. But it eased Phil's mind as the fan wished him well in his new career at Everton. He is also looking forward to playing against his brother for the first time ever. Phil with a Chuckle says: "David Moyes asked me if I was worried about the Manchester-Everton divide. I’m not. Now I’ve got to win the fans over on the pitch. The passion of the Everton fans stands out a million miles and I want my time here to be successful. From the age of 8 Gary and I have always played for the same teams together and shared the same dressing-rooms. I’ve never played against him before. Next Saturday will be very interesting, but in a way I’m glad it’ s the first game of the season so I can get it out of the way. It’s going to be more difficult for Mum and Dad than Gary or I.” (06/08/05) The 28 year old has signed a five year contract on less dosh than he was on at manure. The fee was £3.5m although it was undisclosed. what does that mean? Everton will be able to call on their new signing for the Champions League third-round qualifier against Villarreal on Tuesday. Phil had a chuckle in his voice when he first spoke to moyesy, but was convinced with the manager of the People's Club not to speak to anybody else. He will also relish putting on the blue number 18 shirt to play against that horrible bastard Gary Neville in the first Premiership game against manure. Phil says: “David Moyes was the first manager that contacted my father after I was given permission to speak to other clubs and from day one this was the move that interested me most. He was straight, he was honest, ambitious and that is what impressed me most. Basically he said the right things - there is a great work ethic, a great bunch of lads and that there is a great atmosphere at a family club. Those were the things I wanted to hear and he told me that if I played well I would be playing regular first team football. I am not coming here demanding that I play every week, I have got to come here and earn my right to play in this team. Because this group of players finished fourth last season and I need to make sure that I can force my way in. The way David Moyes was talking impressed me more than anything. Last season we finished fourth but he is ambitious and he wants to get into the group stages as well as finishing fourth or if not better next season. Like I have said for me his ambitions matched mine and for the group of players we have here and the support I am sure we can we do that. Goodison is a ground I have always enjoyed playing at, the fans are very passionate about the team and I hope they see from me the passion that I am going to give towards the team. I have had 18 great years at United but to be honest I am just excited about playing for Everton now. I have come to terms with the fact I am leaving Man United. That is at the back of my head and the next chapter is to show the same commitment and performance to Everton Football Club and the excitement and the challenge is one of the biggest in my career. The lure of playing in Champions League and European football is a big factor. I watched Everton last season and having spoken to the manager I admire the work ethic of the team and it fits in with my own. I have got Champions league experience but these players won't need any help on Tuesday against Villarreal. The fans will give us a great help and I have been told it is the biggest game in years and I am so excited about playing against a very good Villarreal team. I have watched a lot of them because I took a keen interest with Diego Forlan, an ex-team-mate of mine playing there. They play a South American type of football and they have great attacking players. We have just to make sure that no team ever enjoys coming to Goodison Park and we have to make sure it is the same for Villarreal.”
Moyesy says: "We are delighted to have concluded a deal with a player of Phil's calibre and vast experience. Primarily I see him as a holding midfield player but he gives us much-needed cover and also several additional options. We have staved off a great deal of competition to get him. Several clubs were interested in signing him but I must say from the first minute I spoke to him he only wanted to come to Everton." Blue Bill says: “It has been a real pleasure, and indeed a breath of fresh air, dealing with the Neville family. I have an instinct that we have signed a terrific ambassador for Everton Football Club both on and off the field.” Ferguson of the maroon nose says: "This was not a decision we wanted to make, but every time I picked the team and Phil's name was not on the teamsheet, it was very difficult for me. You couldn't meet a better professional and he leaves with the gratitude of everyone at the the club for his service to United. I wish all the best to Phil and his family." (05/08/05) |
|
|
Jogger's Snapshots
| |Sting Ray| Sausage's
Sandwiches |Cod Pieces| Your
E-mails
|Captain Haddock |Look-A-Likes|
Tomorrow's Chip Papers |Top
Toffee Ale 'ouses |Home|
e-mail info@bluekipper.com
