Kevin Phillips’ Expert Analysis: Championship, Internationals & England’s No.1

Getting Bodies Back Is Crucial Before a Huge Game with Burnley

They need more players back from injury. Watford, I talk about them quite a lot. It’s one of those up-and-down sides. You never know what you’re going to get. But from the manager’s point of view, you want all your players back, just a bit like Sunderland; you want a fully fit squad to pick from, because they have got some good players. They’ve got a huge game next out against Burnley at home. They’re 20th in the league; they’ve only got eight points. They need some wins.

So the quicker they can get those players back and get them gelling and playing together, they’ve shown in stages this season that they’re capable of winning games. So t’s crucial they get some players back from injury after the break.

Stephen Welsh Could Be the Answer Scotland Have Been Looking For

You hope so for the lad, don’t you? He comes in, a 0-0 draw, and everyone is talking about him. So he’s making a name for himself, not just domestically, but internationally as well. So it’s great for the lad. He’s definitely got the qualities to play at that level, for sure. He probably just needs a bit of a run in the side.

But it’s important now, when he goes back to Swansea, that he continues his form, that it doesn’t dip after playing for Scotland. But I think he’ll be buzzing. Yeah, I think he could be a key, key player for Scotland moving forward.

Jack Moylan Has Made the Jump from League One Look Easy

Yeah, it makes me feel so happy when I see players step up, because we all question whether they can. It’s a big jump from League One to the Championship, as it is from the Championship to the Premier League. And you kind of always want players to succeed. And Jack’s done that. He’s gone into a Cardiff side, and let’s not forget, a side that isn’t expected to stay in the league, but they’ve competed really well.

And he’s been a key player. He scored two against Charlton. I think he’s got three goals for the season. He’s playing in that 10 role. He’s been excellent. So again, can they keep him fit for the rest of the season? If they do, he’s shown that he’s more than capable of not just playing in the Championship but making a huge impact, because people are talking about him, and we are as well.

Pickford Is Still England’s Number One Despite Trafford Starting

I was a bit surprised he was dropped, if I’m being honest. I don’t think Jordan would have taken it too well or been too happy, because he’s a winner, and I think he’s been fantastic. I’ve never criticised Jordan. I think he’s been fantastic for club and country, never lets them down. So I still believe he’s the number one. But of course, Tuchel’s having a look at someone else. So I was surprised, to be honest. Hopefully he’ll be back between the sticks very, very soon. What Jordan can do is go back to Everton and put in fine displays as he always has done, just to remind people that he is England’s number one.

Calvert-Lewin Gives England Something Kane Doesn’t

I think everybody in the country knows the qualities he’s got. The big question was: can you keep him fit? And they’re clearly doing that at Leeds, and they’re reaping the rewards. He’s such a handful. I wouldn’t say he’s an old-fashioned centre-forward, but you can put balls in from wide areas, from crosses, set plays, and he will get on the end of them. He’s got a great technical ability to hang in the air and head it. That’s a different quality to what Harry Kane’s got. Harry scores goals with headers, but Calvert-Lewin’s excellent in the air, and he scores goals.

I think he’s got three goals in the Premier League this year. So he’s a great backup for Harry Kane, because he gives you that different type of style of play when the ball goes into wide areas.

My Old Club Have the Mentality to Go Up This Season

They can get promoted this season, absolutely. I know the club extremely well. It’s a great place for a player that maybe has just slipped down the pecking order at clubs, because you’re playing in front of two, two and a half, three thousand fans, passionate fans. They’re playing on an excellent pitch up there. And they lost in the play-off final last year, which was a surprise, against Kidderminster. At home, that was a blow. So they’ve shown that mentality, that they’ve bounced back this season. I think they’re three points off top spot. They’ll definitely be in the mix coming into the season. So it’s great to see my old club, and I wish them all the very best.