Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton pre-season special: Phil Neville prove doubters wrong
THINGS have changed dramatically for Phil Neville in the past 12 months but one aspect of his Everton career will always remain the same.
At this time last year, Neville - despite never giving anything other than his very best in every game - was a player whom many supporters still had reservations and, in many ways, he became an easy target for those disaffected by that summer's travails.
It is not difficult to recall the boos he was subjected to during the opening day defeat against Blackburn Rovers, particularly when he passed a ball back to his goalkeeper Tim Howard made through the first half when Everton were trailing.
Experience, though, has enabled Neville to not let criticism affect his game and, slowly but surely, the outstanding consistency of his performances, either at right-back or in central midfield, enabled the tide to turn.
The first inkling that things were changing for him came in another game against Blackburn when he stood in front of the Darwen End at Ewood Park to applaud the visiting section, straight after Everton had tumbled out of the Carling Cup on an especially miserable night.
Normally he would have been on the end of a steady stream of insults and hand gestures but, on this occasion, Neville was given sympathetic applause, in recognition that he had done all he could to help in difficult circumstances.
By the time he thrashed home a penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shoot-out against his first love Manchester United, any lingering doubts about his commitment had been long since banished and a place in Blue affections had been secured.
But if there has been a reversal in his popularity, Neville's determination to improve is as unwavering as it has always been and the challenge of surpassing the efforts of a campaign that saw Everton finish fifth and reach Wembley is one that excites him.
