Gary Neville calm despite 'hurricane' surrounding Valencia

Gary Neville insists he is remaining calm despite overseeing nine winless league matches since taking the helm at Valencia.

In his first job as manager, the former Manchester United skipper has seen the club drop from within reach of European qualification to looking over its shoulder at the relegation places in the La Liga table.

"I haven't seen the players panic and they've not seen me panic," the 85-time England international said on Friday.

"There can be a hurricane on the outside but you have to be in the eye of the storm on the inside."

Neville had questionable credentials before taking the Mestalla hotseat, with his only coaching experience having been a part-time role alongside Roy Hodgson with England and as a friend and business associate of Valencia owner Peter Lim.

It's the on-pitch failings that has the Los Che support on edge though, including former favourite Santiago Canizares who called for Neville to apologise and step down following a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

"There's been no huge sway to behave in a different way the last few weeks of results," Neville added.

"We've not changed tack, we've not changed the way in which we work. We believe in our work and proving ourselves.

"We have to win against Espanyol and that's what we're focusing on. It's a final."

Neville believes the fans will fill out the club's famed stadium this weekend, despite only 10,000 rattling around in the 55,000 all-seater to see the second-leg against Barcelona on Wednesday.

"I am grateful to the fans who came out to support us. Those who didn't want to come are within their rights," added Neville.

"Mestalla will be full on Saturday, and the atmosphere will be electric. We need the fans more than ever on Saturday."