TIM CAHILL believes a lack of expectation can be Everton FC’s secret weapon as they aim to make a flying start to the Premier League campaign.

David Moyes’s side completed their warm-up programme on Friday by going down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Villarreal in their traditional home friendly.

The gloom deepened with Seamus Coleman taken to hospital nursing a serious ankle injury after a poor tackle from Spanish midfielder Carlos Marchena.

With no new signings imminent and fresh investment failing to transpire, the apprehension among Evertonians is in stark contrast to 12 months ago when Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson tipped the Goodison outfit as outsiders for Champions League qualification.

But Cahill is convinced having no pressure can work in Everton’s favour when they begin the season at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

“I’m not putting any expectations on us this season because I think it was a problem last season,” said the Australian. “We called Europe and called a very high finish.

“Expectations are a big thing – especially when you pile the pressure on yourself. At the moment we have no pressure.

“What’s the point of putting expectations on ourselves if clubs are spending hundreds of millions?

“We’ve got something special here and the main thing is that we try to start on fire and the first game will say a lot about how the season will start.

“I think we’re the only team not to go out and spend but what we do have is a great set of lads who are on long-term contracts who have been here for many a season.

“There are so many great players. We’ve just got to deal with what we have got and make the most of it because when you have got no expectations, anything can happen.

“We have a strong team when you look at it on paper. Hopefully the team will surprise people.”