Neville: Tough task

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Everton captain Phil Neville has issued a rallying call ahead of his side's trip to Standard Liege in the Uefa Cup on Thursday night.

The Toffees travel to Belgium with their European hopes hanging by a thread following a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Goodison Park.

Miserable domestic form has seen Everton slip to three consecutive home league defeats, but Neville is hopeful a foreign excursion could provide just the tonic David Moyes and his side are searching for.

Everton's battling qualities have been well documented under Moyes' tenure but Neville has reminded his team-mates that actions speak louder than words.

Captain's call

"We brag about how great the spirit is here - now we have got to show that it is not a myth," Neville said in the Liverpool Echo.

"Things have not been going well so far but now we the players have got to put our balls on the line for this club.

"We can't have any regrets when we walk off the pitch on Thursday night - and I don't believe we will.

"We have been building something for the past couple of years and we want it to come to fruition in the long-term - so we have got to believe we can win this game.

"Let's go over to Belgium thinking positively.

"I'd be lying if I said everything has been plain sailing since we finished fifth but they are things that should not really impact on us. I've heard suggestions that the manager's contract has had an effect but that is not true.

"I've not heard it mentioned in the dressing room once. The only thing the players are bothered about is getting good results for this club and we are all hurting that we haven't done that consistently yet.

"But, take it from me, we intend to change that this week."