Signed by Everton in August 2005 from Manchester United, Phil Neville has played over 100 times for the Toffeemen and is currently club captain. After an illustrious career at Old Trafford where he won the Premiership title six times, the FA cup three times and the Champions League once, Neville moved on a five-year deal and a transfer fee of £3.5m. He has become one of the first names on the team sheet for manager David Moyes. Neville is also patron of Manchester children's hospital and along with his wife are at numerous events raising money. Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden caught up with him during the International break to get the latest news and views from inside Goodison...EVERTON DIDN'T SPEND BIG IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW - WAS THAT FRUSTRATING?No, not really because I think it was very important to keep good players that were at the club. For a club to progress you need foundations and that means keeping your best players and that is what the club managed to do.
HOW GOOD IS THE CURRENT SQUAD?I think the squad is stronger than last year. Just because our results have not been what we would have liked doesn't mean we are weaker. We have a few injuries at the moment which is not helping but we need to improve our performances and results.
GETTING KNOCKED OUT OF THE UEFA AND CARLING CUPS MUST HAVE BEEN A BITTER BLOW?It was a massive blow. I don't hold with the view that we can now focus on the Premier League. We want to play in Europe against the best and although we played well at times we didn't make it. I would still rather be in the competition than out of it.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE MANAGER'S FUTURE - HOW IMPORTANT IS HE TO THE CLUB?He is very important and that is why so many payers came to the club. He is ambitious and wants to do well. I know a lot has been made about him not signing his contract but I can honestly say that has never been mentioned in the dressing room and that it is an excuse. We need to get back to basics and playing how we know we can.
SO WHAT ARE THE CLUB'S MAIN AIMS THIS SEASON NOW?At the moment, as I said, it is to get back to basics which is working hard for each other and to get back to getting results which at the moment we are not doing. We have had a break and now we can't wait to get back playing. We have a tough programme coming up with Arsenal and then Manchester United in succession, so plenty to look forward to.
IT'S A TRIP TO THE EMIRATES AT THE WEEKEND - WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE SQUAD ARSENE WENGER HAS RE-BUILT?I like the way he tries to play football. He has built a few teams over the year and they try to play the right way and it is good to watch. They pass it well and try to keep it on the ground and pass and move the ball quickly around the pitch, so obviously we are going to have our work cut out on Saturday.
YOUR AWAY RECORD HAS BEEN DECENT THOUGH?To be honest we need to get our home form together but we know it is going to be hard at the Emirates. But we need to kick-start our season as quickly as possible and it would be good at this stadium because it is a good pitch, good atmosphere and we are up against a good footballing side. Where better to get our season up and running?
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