Source: Team_Talk
Neville: Toffees too sweet
Everton skipper Phil Neville admits a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal will be a major factor if the Toffees miss out on Europe.[LNB] Neville believes David Moyes' side can take a lot of pride in the way they have performed during the second half of the season after a major injury list affected them before Christmas.[LNB]But he feels last night's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa mirrored their fortunes in recent months with Everton failing to kill off games when in control.[LNB]They twice led through Tim Cahill's brace only for Gabriel Agbonlahor's header and an injury-time own goal from Phil Jagielka meaning they had to settle for a share of the spoils.[LNB]Neville said: "We kept the ball well against Villa, had chances to score, and that has probably been the story of our season really in that we've not finished teams off when we've got in winning positions.[LNB]"That has been the story, particularly in the last couple of months. Our main problem, even since Christmas when we've played well, is that we haven't been as ruthless in front of goal as we should have been.[LNB]"It's games like this one, Wolves twice, Stoke at home, Villa at home, Birmingham twice, where we have dropped points when, if you want to get to fourth or fifth place, you've got to be beating those teams.[LNB]"That's what we did last season and we've not this time around. We've just not won these games.[LNB]"Last season we beat all the teams around us and below us and lost to the top-four sides. It's been roles reversed this season. We've beaten the top sides and not been clinical enough against the sides below us."[LNB]Neville believes it is important Everton have another crack at Europe but accepts they will have to win their remaining four games to have any hope of achieving that goal.[LNB]He said: "Before the game, we still thought a point wouldn't be a bad result but we needed to win the game. We are not out of it but with four games left now, the clock is ticking and we are running out of time.[LNB]"We set our targets in January. If we win three of our last four games, we will still probably meet the targets in terms of points.[LNB]"Hopefully that will take us into Europe."[LNB]Neville has not been surprised by Everton's revival - they have lost only two of their last 20 league games - but believes failing to qualify for Europe will be a major blow[LNB]He said: "The run we've had has not surprised anyone because even in November, when we were not playing well, we knew once we got everyone back fit we had the players and the squad to go on a run like this.[LNB]"If you had asked me at the start of the season if finishing eighth would have been a success, I would have said that would be a failure.[LNB]"If you had asked me in November, then finishing eighth would have probably been a success.[LNB]"It has been one of those campaigns where we can take a lot of pride from the way we have played in the second half of the season.[LNB]"But the league table doesn't lie. You are where you are through your form during the whole season.[LNB]"We want European football next season. I think it will be a major disappointment if we don't qualify. That is why the manager keeps challenging us and we have now got to win the last four games to have any chance."
