Phil Neville on why he will never be satisfied with second best

10 September 2012 05:00
FINISHING above Liverpool FC in the Premier League last season might have left some Evertonians satisfied, but it left Phil Neville feeling empty. While the Everton FC skipper realises that Everton’s seventh place finish secured those all-important bragging rights in some respects, he still feels there should perhaps be more ambition on the blue half of Merseyside.

Many 35-year-olds might be secretly happy just to be keeping retirement at bay while playing in the top flight, but not Neville. Neither is the former England international content with aiming for a top six finish. Instead he is hungry for more. “It's something that rankles with me, something I've not bought into at all,” he says. “If one team finishes seventh and the other is eighth, you get the bragging rights but with nothing to show for it.

“Liverpool have been so successful over the years and Everton have to had to swallow it. I totally understand that and I can relate to Evertonians when it comes to derby day, but how great it would be if we actually won a trophy. I'm not sure Liverpool have the same outlook. They probably look at the bigger picture, they want to win the League, the FA Cup and the League Cup, and that's the mentality we should have.

Last year Kenny Dalglish won the Carling Cup and got the sack, so it shows what the expectations are.” Neville was able to ponder his dreams for this season during the weekend, with the pause for the international break providing time for reflection.

One thing’s for sure – he isn’t ready to even consider hanging up his boots. “I want to keep playing for as long as I can,” he says. “At least one more year at the top level if I can. I still have ambitions. For instance, I've always wanted to sample playing abroad, a different culture and different life-experience for all the family. Time's running out, I know, and if the gaffer comes to me in January and wants me to stay another year then the decision's made for me.”

Source: liverpool_echo