PHIL NEVILLE believes that Ross Barkley has the ability to become the latest Everton FC wonderkid, hailing the teenage midfielder as a ‘special’ talent.

Barkley, 17, from Wavertree became the 11th player under the age of 18 to represent Everton in a Premier League game when he made his debut in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat newly-promoted QPR.

Had it not been for a double leg break last year, the England Under-19 international may have made his EFC senior bow at an even younger age.

Neville said: “Ross has been outstanding all pre-season and I think we all know we have got something special there. We just all want him to keep going out there and enjoying his football. He is such a great lad, he is always asking questions and he wants to learn.

“People say bravery is going round kicking people and getting stuck in. Bravery is taking the ball when you are under pressure, when you are 1-0 down at home and the crowd are on your back and he did that. His performance was the only real plus to come out of the game for us.”

Meanwhile, Neville is hoping to lift the gloom around Goodison, insisting that there is still plenty to be positive about.

He said: “There is a lot of negativity around the club and it really riles me.

“There’s so many plus points and positives at this place.

“It’s been a difficult time [on and off the field] – you can’t hide from that – but Everton are no different to 70% of the Premier League. The purse strings have to be tightened.

“Yes, there are four or five clubs, the elite, that don’t have to – but we do. No we’ve not bought any players, but this squad is really strong.

“The message to the fans is that we’re going to have a really good season.

“I can understand their frustration but I would just say stick with us.

“If I didn’t think this club was going forward, if I thought it was going backwards, I wouldn’t have signed a two-year contract. I still want to win trophies.”