PHIL NEVILLE has dismissed suggestions Everton’s dismal start to the campaign is a result of the players being crippled by a fear of expectation.

And the Goodison skipper has revealed his trust his team-mates and would “stake his life” on David Moyes’s side showing the character to fight back up the Premier League table.

Everton’s most likely route to silverware was ended on Tuesday by an embarrassing Carling Cup defeat at npower League One strugglers Brentford.

It comes with the Goodison outfit suffering their worst start to a league season in 16 years after gaining just two points from five games. Everton were tipped by many observers to be contenders for a Champions League place after ending the previous campaign with just two defeats in 24 league outings.

And Neville said: “The expectations are what we always wanted so we can’t get to the stage of getting it, and then be fearful of it. We’re not fearful but hard work will get us back.

“We had a great pre-season, everyone fully fit and it was just what we wanted. Now we need to give ourselves a kick up the backside, and big players stand up.

“It’s time to show our mettle. We’ve got the character and grit in that dressing room. I’d stake my life on it.”