Neville: Cautious approach cost us March 06 2008
Everton captain Phil Neville admitted his team simply did not do themselves justice in their 2-0 UEFA Cup defeat at Fiorentina.
David Moyes' side were undone by two quality second-half strikes - from Zdravko Kuzmanovic and then Riccardo Montolivo - but Neville was man enough to acknowledge the Toffees were off the pace throughout the first leg of this last-16 tie.
It took until the 69th minute for Fiorentina to turn their supremacy into a lead, Kuzmanovic beating a previously outstanding Tim Howard with a sweetly-struck and expertly-placed right-foot shot from 20 yards.
After midfielder Montolivo had capped a slick move with an even better finish in the 82nd minute - volleyed this time, from just inside the area - the visitors might have conceded a third too, substitute Mario Alberto Santana sliding his effort just beyond the far post with the outside of his right foot.
The Merseysiders have nonetheless left themselves needing a mighty performance back on their home patch - and Neville conceded they just did not reach the standards they have set so far this season in Europe and the Premier League.
"We didn't play at all tonight," he told ITV4. "We were a little bit negative in our play."
Everton's famed industry never materialised as Viola ran the show from the outset, with veteran forward Christian Vieri the first to make Howard earn his fee.
The American goalkeeper went on to produce a series of outstanding saves, and it was harsh on him - if not his team-mates - that Everton conceded twice.
Neville knew that they had caused many of their own problems.
"The manager set us out to attack, but we were probably a little bit too cautious and didn't get men forward," he accepted.
"We didn't play how we know we can - and that is always a let-down."
Even so, Neville insists all is not lost - refusing to discount a winning comeback at Goodison Park next week.
"We are still in it going back to Goodison," he insisted. "It will be a great atmosphere - and we know we have to play at a higher tempo, put them under pressure and play how Everton play."