Kevin Phillips’ Expert Analysis: Championship & International Break

Jack Moylan Is the Heartbeat of That Cardiff Side

He’s definitely up there with the best midfielders in the league, absolutely. I spoke about Aidan Morris last week as probably being the best midfielder in the Championship, but he’s right up there alongside him. He’s a real attack-minded midfielder. He plays in that 10, loves to score goals, and to do it in a team that’s been up and down and struggled a little bit just shows you the qualities of the player. Sky gave him a great shout-out last week, and deservedly so.

He’s got three assists as well, so he’s not just scoring; he’s assisting. He is the heartbeat of that side, and he’s a good player, an absolute top player. So yes, he is definitely one of the best attacking midfielders in the league.

Yousef Salech Needs More Consistency and Can Learn From Moylan

I think so. He’s got himself five goals. He’s a different type of striker. I don’t think he started the last couple of games; I think Moylan had to start up top at the weekend. But he’s made 60-odd appearances for the club, and he’s got himself 27 goals, so there are goals there. And if you could get them firing together, combined this season that’s 15 goals, that’s a recipe for success straight away. So if you can keep them both fit, they’re certainly a handful. But he just needs to find a bit more consistency in his football, and learn from someone like Jack Moylan.

I Got No Minutes at Euro 2000 After Winning the Golden Boot

I would like to see Luke Graham get more minutes for Scotland given his form, absolutely. When you talk about players going away on international duty, I’ve been there. You go away, you’re doing well at your club, you’re flying, and you go away, and you only get two minutes. I didn’t get any minutes in Euro 2000 for England coming off the back of a Golden Boot-winning season.

So Luke Graham was probably frustrated in the last camp, but all he can do is go away and play well for his club, and he’s done that. Hopefully now he’s knocking on the manager’s door and asking for more minutes. So yeah, I would say he deserves a bit more of a chance, and hopefully after these next games he certainly gets that, because he’s more than capable of playing at that level.

Jovon Makama Gives Norwich a Different Dimension at Six Foot Five

Jovon has come off the bench the last couple of games and got a couple of goals in Norwich’s turnaround in the season. And I think he will be a big part of it for the rest of the season. He knows where the back of the net is. He’s that different type of striker as well, being six foot plus, six foot five, I think he is. So he’s got a different dimension that Norwich can go down.

He came from the lower leagues for a fair bit of money, so it’s taken him a little bit of time, but I think he got 13 goals last season, so he certainly knows where the back of the net is. It’s a great option for Norwich to have, whether he comes off the bench or he starts. And if he does come off the bench, all he can do is what he’s done in the last two games: score and give the manager a bit of a headache. So it’ll be interesting to see how he fares over the next month or so, whether he gets some more starts, because he’s certainly proven that he’s more than capable.

I Don’t See Boro Entertaining Any Bid for Lankshear Whatsoever

I think every player has got a price tag, haven’t they? But I wouldn’t have thought for one moment that Middlesbrough would even consider it, even if it was a stupid bid, even look at it, because the kid’s on fire. Middlesbrough are having an unbelievable season, and he’s right in the heart of that. So you take him out of the team, and you wonder where they go from there.

But again, everyone has a price tag. Someone might chance their arm in the window. I don’t think they would. So yeah, I don’t see Middlesbrough entertaining any bid whatsoever.

Pickford Has Never Ever Let England Down, and He’s Still My Number One

I think firstly, from the manager’s point of view, it’s great to have players competing against each other, challenging each other. And these are two top-class keepers. I’ve said all along, Jordan Pickford for me is the best, and he’s never, ever let England down. I love his character, his all-round game. He’s pulled off incredible saves when England have needed it. His distribution is excellent, and he’s got that something about him that I just love.

And to be fair, so has Trafford. He’s had an excellent season. But for me at this point, I would say Pickford for his experience. I understand why the manager, you know, he’s not afraid to drop people, he’s not afraid to make changes, so you have to perform every week, and Jordan Pickford does that for me. But if he were to dip off a bit, I’d have no issues whatsoever with James Trafford coming in. So it’s great for our national side. I just wish we had that competition at the top of the pitch for England. So at the minute, as we sit, it would be Jordan Pickford for me all day long.