Liverpool Post
Everton FC skipper Phil Neville warns QPR they have changed for the better
PHIL NEVILLE has warned Queens Park Rangers they will face a different Everton FC team to the one that made a “disastrous” start to the Premier League campaign.
But the Goodison skipper admits that former team-mate Mark Hughes can guide the Londoners away from the drop zone.
David Moyes’s EFC side began the season with a shock 1-0 home defeat to promoted QPR, who had been thrashed 4-0 by Bolton Wanderers the previous week.
It set the tone for a difficult first half of the campaign that saw Everton loitering in the bottom half until yet another New Year revival.
And Neville believes Moyes’s men travel to Loftus Road on Saturday full of confidence aiming to extend a seven-match unbeaten run and avenge that Goodison defeat in August.
“It was a disaster,” said the 35-year-old. “It was a disastrous start to the season, make no bones about that.
“But I think we are a different team now, and I think they are a different team too. They’ve got different players and different management.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for Loftus Road. It’s a tight stadium and the pitch is tight and small, and it always generates a good atmosphere. It’ll be a good game.”
Liverpool’s Carling Cup final appearance means Everton have been without a game since the 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round triumph against Blackpool a fortnight ago
QPR, meanwhile, lost 1-0 at home to Fulham last Saturday to move within a point of the relegation zone despite Hughes replacing Neil Warnock as manager in January.
And Neville added: “QPR are down near the bottom and we are pushing into the top half of the table. We just have to make sure we recover from the international break and not having a game, because we’ll need to hit the ground running.
“QPR have talented players, good front players like Zamora, Wright-Phillips and Cisse, and they won’t go down. We’ll have to play well to get a result.
“Mark Hughes is a fantastic appointment, and he has a fantastic, proven coaching team.
“They have a good work ethic and I’ve spoken to a lot of players who have worked with him, and everybody enjoys working with him. He’ll be a success at QPR.”
Nikica Jelavic is hopeful of kickstarting his Goodison career after thus far being restricted to one substitute appearance since his £5.5million arrival from Rangers in January.
The Croatia international has been suffering from a stomach injury known as athletic pubalgia, and has missed the last two games.
And Jelavic said: “It’s been frustrating for me, believe me. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch again.
“I think it’s been a good thing for me that we have had a two-week break because I have been able to prepare myself well and hopefully I can be ready to get out there soon and show people what I can do.”
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