Neil now faces the added competition of Brian Deane for a slot in the side, but he is staying positive and says:
"I always want to start but it is up to the manager who picks the side, but sadly I have not been starting.
"But that is his decision and to be honest we have been getting some good results lately so I can't blame him at all."
Looking at the Spurs game in which he was a substitute in the second half of extra time, he says:
"It was one of those things, very even, and both sides went for it; we had a couple of chances and on another day Rob's shot would have gone in or Jermain would have scored when he was through and you get a goal and shut up shop.
"I just felt we were going to win it, sadly we didn't, and everyone was really disappointed in the changing rooms.
"We put on a good display and had a tremendous away following as usual; we more than matched them at their own place and they are a decent side so if we can take that into our division one games there is no reason why we can't get to the top of the league.
"You are bound to have a bit of pressure early doors and they had big support but we were always comfortable I felt, even in extra time.
"I know they scored but I thought we would sneak one and take it to penalties so I was really disappointed that they scored.
"We are still doing well in the league and we could have got battered midweek - but we more than matched them and I hope we can turn Coventry over this weekend."
SQUAD: James, Bywater, Lee, Repka, Dailly, Pearce, Hutchison, Carrick, Kilgallon, Horlock, Defoe, Mullins, Etherington, Mellor, Quinn, Sofiane, Ferdinand, Garcia, Deane.